Inside: Contractors face rail cuts p16 Cumbria fl ood recovery p50 New Civil Engineer APRIL 2018
1993: TWYFORD DOWN 2018: STONEHENGE? WITH MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, 25 YEARS ON WE EXPLORE HOW ENGINEERS CAN BUILD PUBLIC SUPPORT In the UK, 2.44 million properties are at risk of flooding by rivers and seas. 3 million more are at risk from surface water. Source: Institution of Civil Engineers DO YOU CHOOSE TO SINK OR THINK? Join the debate about the future of drainage
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60650_31 NCE April Issue.indd Pg1 06/03/2018 10:01 New Civil Engineer MAJOR PROJECTS MUST PUT CUSTOMERS FIRST
MARK HANSFORD EDITOR
here is much engineering excitement this month about ance the need to deliver desired improvements for customers, while proposals for a high speed rail version of the M25, as also being sensitive to the needs of affected local communities? proposed by Expedition. There is also excitement As we discuss this month, there is a real need to make the public feel T about a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland, that projects are “done with them, not to them”. proposed by the Scottish Government. Tim Jones has much to do with the solution. He is in charge of Both are bold ideas, and both have engineering and economic merit. delivering the Lower Thames Crossing for Highways England and he is But while we engineers are getting giddy about these tantalising of the mistakes of the past. As he tells us this month: “I think what we grands projets, the public is getting excited in rather different ways did to Twyford Down was absolutely outrageous. It is the worst piece of about another bunch of projects. civil engineering I think I have ever seen in my life”. In Sheffield the outrage about the city council’s tree felling policy in the name of a £2bn PFI highways improvement programme has taken another turn for the worse this month, with the latest attempt to fell one It is not so inconceivable that tree requiring 33 police officers and 20 security staff to deter protesters. And there is no sign of a let up in public fury, with a funding-raising we could see the return of concert fronted by Pulp front man Jarvis Cocker selling out in minutes. scenes witnessed at Twyford Down The day job for Sheffield’s contractor Amey’s engineers really cannot be a great one right now. and then at the Newbury bypass Those engineers are not alone, as tempers are flaring in north west London, where an ancient woodland is soon to be bulldozered in the back in the early 1990s name of High Speed 2. There, a High Court injunction has just been granted to bar eight protesters from demonstrating on the site of the “ Colne Valley viaduct. Good luck with that – Sheffield’s got one of those One of the challenges presented by the current planning regime is and it has not done much good. that debate about the need for major schemes is taken away from pub- This is serious stuff. If you follow the right people on Twitter you’ll lic inquiries, with that decision already having been made through a soon see there are plenty more protest groups gearing up for action. national policy statement. Debate about those is aimed at professionals The mood has changed and it is not so inconceivable that we could see and it leaves the public feeling left out. the return of scenes witnessed at Twyford Down (our cover image) and One proposal on the table is for a French-style commission for public then at the Newbury bypass back in the early 1990s. engagement, which would act as a forum for debating major schemes at And this is all before we get stuck into the truly controversial the earliest possible stage. It was introduced in France in the late 1980s schemes that are coming up, mainly sitting on Highways England’s to- when it – like the UK – was having problems with protests against major do list. They include the Lower Thames Crossing, which will drive a six schemes – in its case its high speed rail network. or eight lane highway through the Kent countryside; the £260M Arun- As we report this month, it has served France – and French engineers del bypass running through the South Downs in West Sussex, and then – well. With the mood now one of protest, we might be well advised to the daddy of them all, the £1.6bn A303 Stonehenge tunnel. encourage our political paymasters to take a look. So how do engineers, and those that we advise, act to ensure we bal- l Mark Hansford is New Civil Engineer’s editor
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 3 Contents NEW CIVIL ENGINEER APRIL 2018 MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
03 Comment, 31 World View Report: Analysis & News Customer Focus
06 Lighthouse: We must act to make construction sector more secure
08 The Edit: HS1 to HS2 link proposed
09 The Edit: London City airport deck extension
12 Analysis: Engineers’ salaries rise
14 Analysis: Carillion fallout
18 Your View: Climate change
22 The Interview
The industry is waking up to the fact that the public often feels alienated from decisions which determine what infrastructure is built. It also feels isolated from information which can help them travel more e ciently. This report examines how the industry can respond
22 Yorkshire Water’s Nevil Muncaster 32 Overview: How can the industry 40 What can be done to improve on innovations and its £1.1bn alliance better engage with the public, communication with transport users framework when planning major construction projects? 44 Debate: Changing attitudes to road 24 The Response: Wavin’s Martin works over the last 20 years Lambley on why innovation is good
4 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER APRIL 2018 New Civil Engineer Get news delivered daily Weekly Wrap and analysis delivered weekly with our newsletters. Sign-up at newcivilengineer.com
Story of the week: A technical investigation into bridge collapses in South East Asia 16 Special 26 Business CONTRIBUTORS Report Culture
Katherine Smale p16 Rail special report [email protected] Twitter @katsmaleNCE
Jess Clark 26 Civic Engineers focuses on social p28 Tax and R&D 16 Tier 1 rail contractors are moving [email protected] out of rail enhancements work as value and engineering for people Twitter @jclarkjourno Network Rail refocuses spending 28 SMEs: How to get R&D tax credits
50 Tech 60 ICE Excellence Record Emily Ashwell p26 Civic Engineers [email protected]
Jackie Whitelaw p32 Customer Focus
50 Engineers are painstakingly rebuiding 61 Engineering cities, Big Bang fair, Fiona McIntyre p50 Cumbria bridge a Cumbrian bridge which su ered Sustainable development goals, fi [email protected] serious scour during the 2015 fl oods Northern Powerhouse Twitter @fi onaMcNCE
APRIL 2018 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 5 Lighthouse ICE VIEWPOINT We must act to make the construction sector more secure
he national debate overnight. There may well be some and news cycles can uncomfortable truths. Carillion’s be fickle and hard Construction represents over collapse should T to predict. However, 6% of the national economy; our one thing we can say social and economic well-being is be the canary down for sure, is that if it were not for the fundamentally underpinned by an domination of Brexit in the public’s efficient, effective infrastructure the mine. We must imagination then infrastructure system; and for every pound we would be at the front of everyone’s BY ART WE spend as a nation on infrastructure, take proper account mind. MASTER we generate £3 of economic activity. “of what has occurred Following a variety of high WHAT WOULD In essence, good infrastructure profile issues, from the Grenfell MASTER US allows society to be more tower tragedy to the collapse of productive and for its people to Carillion, our sector has been facing have better lives, and earn more. significant challenges. We should This means it is incumbent on us to canary down the mine. We must not shy away from tackling these make sure that the sector, which is take proper account of what has simply because other items have so hugely important, is as secure as occurred and take the appropriate taken primacy. Simply because they it can be. action. are not on the tip of everyone’s The current makeup of the Arguably more important, we tongues does not mean they are not industry means that most of the are divorcing deliverers from serious. successful larger contractors in customers. Take the situation with Carillon. the UK are UK-owned. The majority This has an impact on safety and MPs on the cross-party public work exclusively on UK projects suitability in operation. It constrains administration and constitutional for the benefit of the UK economy. high performance. Ultimately, it affairs committee have quizzed In a post-Brexit world, this self- means we operate in a system from auditors and senior executives sufficiency will take on new value which the public is not getting the from Carillion, with wide ranging and exportable potential. product it deserves, needs, or that topics from nationalisation of Can we honestly say that we will provide it with the necessary infrastructure delivery to corporate are happy with the system that infrastructure. governance being explored. underpins the construction sector This month we have seen In all of the subsequent debate, that provides so much inherent commuters suffering at the lack of the sector should recognise the value to the country as a whole? resilience in a system faced with an reality of what has occurred and Would we accept that it operates extreme weather event. The focus is why. The management of Carillion with the right behaviours? Are on capacity but would they not have will be forensically questioned, but we content that it is sustainable? prioritised reliability instead? there is a bigger picture that must Do we believe that we are really This applies to all of the be examined. providing the best outcomes if we organisations involved, not just The construction industry has focus on lowest costs, competition public or private sector but to be brave and indulge in a self- and a transfer of risk that leaves investors, suppliers, advisors and analysis so as to properly respond the supply chain having to take clients. It is down to every party to the second largest contractor precarious decisions? to work together to try and fix the in the country disappearing Carillion’s collapse should be the system.
6 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Water Management Q-Brake Vortex
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hydraulic efficiency We know the difference it makes WWW.ACO.CO.UK MORE NEWS HIGH SPEED 2 LAING O’ROURKE More TEAM PULLS BID FOR The Edit coverage HS2 EUSTON STATION ESSENTIAL NEWS & INFORMATION online at FROM NEWCIVILENGINEER.COM newcivil High Speed 2 project promoter HS2 engineer.com Ltd has confirmed that the Laing O’Rourke/Canary Wharf Contractors/ MTR joint venture has withdrawn its bid for Euston Station redevelopment HS4AIR work, leaving four bidders in the race M1 for the £1.65bn contract. It is HS2 understood that Canary Wharf M11 A1(M) Contractors decided to pull out of the Connection to HS2 race after losing out to Lendlease in the £40M Euston master development M40 M25 partner (MDP) competition. The four Connection EUSTON remaining bidders for the overall to GWML ST redevelopment work at Euston are: Heathrow PANCRAS Bam Nuttall/Ferrovial; Costain/ M4 Airport Skanksa; Mace/Dragados; and Bechtel. HS1 An HS2 Ltd source described the M20 M2 M25 quartet as “a pretty strong field”, with M3 scope for any of the bidders to add ASHFORD partners ahead of the contract award Gatwick Connection in the autumn. Airport M23 HS4Air to HS1
Tunnels 20km N BUSINESS LAING O’ROURKE Engineers propose 140km high ANNOUNCES PRETAX KEY STATS LOSS FOR SECOND speed rail line to link HS1 with YEAR RUNNING £1.65bn Laing O’Rourke has recorded a pre-tax loss for the second year in HS2 and bypass London Estimated succession despite claiming a cost of “substantial improvement” in its Euston UK performance in 2017. In a delayed TRANSPORT would provide a direct link between results announcement for the year A plan for a new 140km long high- the two without passengers having to station to March 2017, the company reported speed rail line dubbed an “M25 for change in Central London. “The redevelop- a loss from operations of £63.6M, high speed trains” has been proposed proposed HS4Air project is an with the bulk coming from continued by consultant Expedition. example of integrated strategic ment exposure to the CHUM Hospital joint The “HS4Air” line would start at the planning that spans across multiple venture in Canada. The group HS1 station in Ashford in Kent, then infrastructure sectors,” said Lenczner. initiated a turnaround programme in run south of London through its major 2016. It has also taken further steps to airports, to Denham near the Colne reduce its remaining exposure to the Valley, where it would link with High CHUM Hospital JV. The results Speed 2 (HS2). The estimated showed an improvement on an The estimated cost of the line equivalent loss of £242.7M for 2015/16. is £10bn, based on the pro-rata cost of the Laing O’Rourke chief executive Ray equivalent cost per mile of HS2 Phase 1. O’Rourke said trading had been HS1 terminates at St Pancras in line is £10bn, based tough: “It has been a difficult time for London and HS2 will terminate at our sector, and recent events have Euston Station, a 20-minute walk away. on the estimated only reinforced the importance of Expedition director Alistair Lenczner Laing O’Rourke’s early actions to said the lack of link between the two pro-rata equivalent redefine the business. Our leadership will be a big inconvenience for “ team across the group has been cost per mile of HS2 passengers who would have walk steadfast and their achievements between the two stations. HS4Air phase 1 remarkable.”
8 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 TRANSPORT DOCKLANDS AIRPORT EXTENSION
Contractor Bam Nuttall has given details of the new £85M, 75,000m2 concrete deck it will build at London City Airport. Bam will extend the deck out over the King George V Dock supported by more than 1,000 concrete piles with steel casings, each around 20m long. The deck will consist of precast reinforced concrete planks with a reinforced concrete topping spanning onto precast concrete beams.
TRANSPORT ENERGY STRUCTURES ABELLIO WALES & INTERSERVE SHUTS KEY STATS ANOTHER POST- BORDERS FRANCHISE DOWN POWER GRENFELL FIRE BID SCUPPERED BY BUSINESS – 70 £5bn WORKING GROUP CARILLION COLLAPSE JOBS AT RISK Value of IS SET UP Wales & Train operator Abellio has pulled its Interserve is to shut down its power A seventh working group has been bid for the £5bn Wales & Borders rail business, putting 70 jobs at risk. Borders rail set up to inform the next stage of franchise following the collapse of A consultation period for employees franchise the post-Grenfell Hackitt review into Carillion. Carillion was to be its will run to early April. The company UK building regulations. The Golden infrastructure management partner said it will complete all of its Thread group will examine how better for construction of the South Wales contracted works, with most projects to connect planning, maintenance and Metro part of the bid. Aecom was finishing by July. The move is part of management of complex and high-risk design partner. KeolisAmey and MTR a review of all group operations in buildings. It will focus on ensuring initial Corporation, with Bam Nuttall, are the an attempt to bring down £500M designs and subsequent changes to remaining bidders. of debt. buildings are properly recorded.
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APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 9 The Edit
INFRASTRUCTURE WATER BUSINESS COMMISSION CALLS YORKSHIRE WATER KEY STATS TRADE BODIES CALL FOR GOVERNMENT SEEKS BIDS FOR FOR ABOLITION OF TO END PROJECT PLACES ON £1.1BN 12 RETENTION SCHEMES INACTION FRAMEWORK Number of IN CONSTRUCTION key projects The National Infrastructure Yorkshire Water has begun the search Engineering trade bodies have Commission (NIC) has raised for partners for a £1.1bn alliance to the National unveiled a plan to get rid of cash concerns about the government’s deliver the next asset management Infra- retentions in the construction failure to firm up timetables or plan. The Yorkshire Alliance, which is industry. In a submission to the funding plans for Crossrail 2 and worth up to £1.1bn over 11 years, will structure government following Carillion’s Northern Powerhouse Rail. provide works on reservoirs, raw Commission collapse, the Building Engineering In its annual monitoring report, the water inlets, water treatment and says need Services Association (BESA) and the NIC said there had been a wastewater treatment works from Electrical Contractors Association “disappointing lack of pace in several next year (see interview p22). The government have called for the practice to be areas”. NIC chairman Sir John Armitt utility company is inviting expressions action abolished. They want the retentions said it was “hugely disappointing” that of interest. Potential partners must be deposit schemes, which would ring- after two years, the commission’s able to optimise existing assets, and fence retention money, as a means of reports on Crossrail 2 and Northern deliver new solutions. Meanwhile, £1.1bn protecting suppliers. A bill currently Powerhouse Rail, still had not been Northern Ireland Water has invited Value of going through parliament would make followed up by commitment from bids for places on its £1.68bn water such schemes compulsory. BESA government. In June last year, the and sewerage framework. The Yorkshire director of legal and commercial Rob commission published a list of 12 key Integrated Partnerships Framework Alliance Driscoll said: “Recent events have projects which needed urgent will support the delivery of the next shone a spotlight on just how critical government action. These included a Price Control period (PC21) business investment prompt and fair payment is to ensure third runway at Heathrow Airport, plan which will run from April 2021 to programme a financially healthy, innovative and High Speed 3 – linking northern cities. March 2027. productive sector.”
ENERGY POWER TUNNELS OPEN
A £1bn energy superhighway with 32km of tunnels carrying 200km of electricity cables across London has opened after seven years of construction. National Grid’s London Power Tunnels run across the capital from Hackney in east London to Willesden in the west, and from Kensal Green in the west to Wimbledon in the south. Two new substations were also built as part of the scheme.
10 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Interactive‘Blue Book’ The essential aid for the design of steelwork www.steelforlifebluebook.co.uk
A comprehensive interactive version of the Blue Book is now available.
Key features • Provides design data for the full range of both open sections and hollow sections (both hot-finished and cold-formed) • Includes design information in accordance with both the Eurocodes and BS 5950 • Allows users to either print information directly or export information to a spreadsheet • Does not require any software to be installed on a host computer. This new easy-to-use interactive Blue Book is freely available at www.steelforlifebluebook.co.uk The Blue Book was produced by the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) on behalf of Steel for Life. Salaries Analysis FIONA MCINTYRE Engineers’ pay rises as skill shortages increase
alaries across the is only beaten by veterinary engineering sector medicine graduates (£27,583) and vary by £14,407, £40,953 doctors (£29,658). Engineers’ starting S with electronics Median civil salaries are 18% higher than overall engineers topping the engineer’s starting salaries, which sit at £21,719. scale at £47,394 and environment In education, engineering subjects professionals earning the least at salary are attracting more interest. More £32,987, a new report has revealed. UK schoolchildren are taking Engineering UK’s annual report, science, technology, engineering and State of Engineering 2018, shows mathematics (STEM) subjects, while that median engineering salaries 129,059 people started engineering are comfortably higher than the apprenticeships between 2015-16. national median wage of £28,213. A shortage of teachers qualified Civil engineers’ median earnings in STEM subjects threatens to undo Demand for have grown over the last year this progress; between 2011 and by 1.7% to reach an average of 2016 pupil numbers in secondary people with £40,953. It compares favourably schools grew by 500,000 while to mechanical engineers whose the number of STEM teachers has engineering skills salaries, although beating civil remained the same since 2015. For engineers’ earnings at £41,808, 2017-18 there is an estimated shortfall is not being met by decreased in the last year by 1.9%. of 2,188 STEM trainee teachers against Electrical engineers saw their the Department for Education’s supply through the median salaries jump 3.5% to reach teacher supply model target. “ £44,696 and electronic engineers’ “The engineering sector is of vital UK education pipeline salaries soared 14.4% to hit £47, 394. importance to the UK, yet demand Environment professionals for people with engineering skills is earned the least at £32,987, despite not being met by supply through the automation on peoples’ job roles. an overall 4.5% pay rise, closely UK education pipeline,” wrote Royal Between 2014 and 2024, 1,240,000 followed by quality and planning Academy of Engineering president engineering roles will become engineers at £36,012. Ann Dowling in a foreword to the available as engineers retire and One reason for the general uplift report. demand for engineers increases, in engineering salaries appears to “Concerted effort is needed to according to Engineering UK. When be a lack of peope with suitable address the shortfall of engineers broken down further, its research qualifications, according to the if these economic and social shows that each year 124,000 research. However real wages contributions are to be maintained.” positions will need to be filled. across the UK are falling as a result Work trends are expected to move However, a shortfall of 37,000 to of poor productivity and the knock- towards an “hourglass” economy, 59,000 university and apprenticeship on effects of plans to leave the with high demand for low and high graduates is expected each year, European Union. skilled roles, and a squeeze on while around 61% of businesses For graduates, the financial news semi-skilled sectors in the middle. surveyed by Engineering UK is good. An average starting salary This is due to increased workforce reported difficulties recruiting of £25,607 for engineering graduates digitisation and the effects of qualified staff.
12 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT UTILITYWEEK.LIVE/TICKETS
NEC Birmingham | 22nd and 23rd May 2018 www.utilityweeklive.co.uk Carillion Insight JESS CLARK Wider effects of Carillion collapse start to be felt
hree months after led by the public administration and the collapse of constitutional affairs committee and Carillion, the effects 1,450 the public accounts committee, into O are still being felt Number of what lessons government should as Parliamentary redundancies learn about outsourcing public inquiries grapple with questions services following the collapse about what caused the collapse, following heard evidence from former Carilion what lessons can be learned, and Carillion directors at the end of February. where the blame for the failure of Former interim chief executive Keith the UKs second biggest construction collapse Cochrane told MPs that he was company lies. disappointed and surprised that the The joint work & pensions and government did not agree to provide business energy and industrial a £20M “short term loan”. strategy committee inquiry into the “As we analysed the potential They should construction giant’s collapse has ramifications of a liquidation picked up pace with MPs quizzing scenario, we believed, and I have put in pensions regulators, auditors and continue to believe, the cost investors. outcome to the taxpayer would have measures when the It has published correspondence, been less if the government was Carillion board meeting minutes and willing to support,” said Cochrane – early profit warnings extracts from independent reviews. Howson’s successor. A key piece of evidence submitted The ripple effects of the collapse were there to the inquiry last month by former continue to be felt. Train operator “ chief executive Richard Howson has Abellio has been forced to pull been disputed. Qatari developer its bid for the £5bn Wales and put in measures when the early Msheireb Properties denied his Borders franchise, which includes profit warnings were there so that claim that it owed Carillion £200M construction of the South Wales if Carillion fell over this bid wasn’t after Howson told MPs that he “felt Metro. Carillion was part of its upended”. like a bailiff” as he made regular team, but Amey – part of the rival Network Rail commercial director trips to the Middle East to collect KeolisAmey bidding team – bought Matthew Steele said the sale of the alleged debt. most of Carillion’s rail business Carillion’s rail business to Amey is a KPMG auditors questioned the making the Abellio bid hard to “positive step for the industry” and £200M figure quoted by Howson sustain. would safeguard an expected 700 when they were quizzed by the It has also emerged that Aecom jobs and the wider supply chain. committees. KPMG audit partner – Abellio’s bid design partner – also In total more than 8,200 Carillion Peter Meehan said he believed bid for Carillion Rail, which would jobs have been saved so far, but the money owed for work on have allowed the consortium to the number of redundancies has the Msheireb Downtown Doha continue with the Wales bid. Plaid climbed to more than 1,450, the development was “considerably less Cymru’s economy and infrastructure Official Receiver confirmed. More than the number he [Howson} was spokesman Adam Price told New Carillion employees could be laid quoting”. Civil Engineer: “They [the Welsh off in the coming weeks as the Another Parliamentary inquiry, Government] should really have liquidation process continues.
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PCL-18-420 Joint Advert_NCE 265 x 210mm.indd 1 05/03/2018 16:15 Special Report BY KATHERINE SMALE Tier 1 contractors shift away from refocused rail
ier 1 contractors are the fact that renewals work is very re-evaluating their different to enhancements and we relationship with KEY FACTS can’t just switch over.” T Network Rail following Enhancement projects such as the a radical shake up in electrification of the Great Western the way the client’s enhancement £19bn Main Line, he said, are big and com- projects will be procured for its next Value of plex. The margins are higher, but so five-year spending programme, enhancement is the risk, which is why large tier 1 control period 6 (CP6). contractors are needed. Network Rail has released its spending to Renewals, operations and mainte- strategic plan for CP6, which says date during nance contracts are smaller, have less that the focus for its £49bn funding risk and require a more agile business pot will shift to renewals, mainte- current five model more suited to tier 2 contrac- nance and operations work, with year control tors. Tier 1 contractors told New Civil most major enhancements now period, which Engineer they would now be looking procured separately. CP6 runs from to move away from Network Rail as 2019 to 2024. ends in 2019 a client. For Tier 1 contractors, this means “There’s a short term for a couple that they now expect a two-year of years where we’re heading into this lag in enhancements work – new £10.1bn dip where we’re going to have to find infrastructure projects – and as a Value of work elsewhere,” said one insider. result are already scaling down their enhancement “I think we will be looking to High- operations ahead of the expected fall ways England, Transport for London off in workload. spending in and High Speed 2 for work in the future. They have told New Civil Engineer next control The problem for Network Rail is if we’ll that switching from working on actually come back when they’ve got response to the fall off in work. enhancements to renewals requires period stuff for us to do.” “Hundreds and thousands of jobs a difficult business model shift, and One industry insider said redun- need to be created in rail to meet the that the renewals market is already dancies are already being made in demand, but the reality for business- saturated with tier 2 contractors who es like ours is that we’re downscaling carry out most of this work. the skilled workforce for the future, Sources from tier 1 firms say they because we can’t see a viable future,” are also concerned that when a major We’re said another contractor. enhancement project does come to downscaling Network Rail has £49bn of funding market, the sector will have lost the for CP6. Rail regulator the Office for necessary skills. Rail and Road is currently consulting “I think they [Network Rail] think the skilled workforce on Network Rail’s Strategic Business because there is this big pot of for the future, Plan, which lays out how the money money still to be spent on the rail will be spent. industry that everything will be ok,” because we can’t The industry is unhappy about said one contractor. “But what they “ the three-week time frame it has to don’t seem to take into account of is see a viable future respond to this consultation, with
16 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 The problem for Network Rail is if we’ll actually come back when they’ve got stuff for “us to do
plagued the current funding round. Early contractor engagement in the £1bn design and development work is key to the longer term success of major projects, Network Rail’s chief executive Mark Carne has told New Civil Engineer. “The alliances we have been in with our contractors, they have very much been a success and some of our best performing projects,” said Carne. “Where you bring that innovation in and bring innovation in early.” Carne had already revealed last November that most new enhancement projects will be separately funded on a case-by-case basis in CP6 and beyond, rather than as part of the regulated settlement. New enhancement projects will have to apply for funding separately, either competing against other national infrastructure projects or seeking other sources of finance. The new funding set-up comes as Network Rail faces severe funding pressures. The company is expected to finish CP5 in 2019 with £50bn worth of debt, over £8bn more than in 2015/6. Across the industry, the new set-up is broadly being seen as a good start to changing a system which was inher- ently broken. One industry source commented that major projects would now no longer have to be “shoehorned into an artificial time frame to suit the regulators”. But concerns that the full impact on the industry have not been thought the Association for Consultancy & Engi- existing pipeline. Network Rail’s through are now starting to surface. neering (ACE) calling it “ridiculous”. Another £1bn is for design and workload focus In response, Network Rail says it In the plan, Network Rail says that development work and the remaining is to shift wants to be an industry client of choice regulated enhancement funding will £2bn covers the delivery of projects not away from and has generated £22bn of work for fall to £10.1bn in CP6, with much of currently in Network Rail’s pipeline. enhancements the supply chain over the first three it made up of projects that were not In February Network Rail chief and towards years of the current control period, delivered in CP5. With Network Rail’s executive Mark Carne confirmed there maintenance and CP5, which ends in 2019. It said 99% infrastructure projects team overseeing were no new major projects on the renewals of the work was going to UK-based enhancement spending of £19bn in books for CP6. companies and that stable and consis- CP5, this will result in a sharp drop off Most major enhancement projects tent activity levels were “critical” for in workload for civils contractors once are legacy projects from CP5, includ- efficient delivery by the supply chain. the legacy projects are delivered, and ing the £3bn trans-Pennine upgrade “We must avoid the huge variation as the business cases for new schemes set to start in Spring 2019. The £1bn that we have previously had for some are fully developed. earmarked for design and development activities so that we can better support Of the £10.1bn enhancement funding, schemes is to get them to a point where the supply chain in delivering the coun- broadly, £7bn will be for delivering cost certainty can be reached and try’s major programme of infrastruc- schemes that are in Network Rail’s to avoid the cost overruns that have ture investment,” it said.
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 17 that does not disturb some ancient site. However, while we must all be conscious that, to preserve our heritage, some small sacrifices must be made to allow this scheme to proceed – and the economic benefits Your View to the South West will be enormous. David Clements (M Retd) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected] AND COMMENTS ONLINE
BUSINESS CULTURE
BUSINESS CULTURE NEC contracts), whereas mainland BUILDING ON A PROCUREMENT contractors are more used to fixed FIRM TECHNICAL BASE price versions (such as FIDIC’s Red QUESTIONS @ Book). The March 2018 cover picture Under fixed price contracts of your publication reminds me Dale Evans says that we must (subject to possible priced that when I was taught some of change the traditional way in variations), the contractor had the elements of soil mechanics which we deliver and procure our to build what he was presented by Professor JKTL Nash at King’s projects (New Civil Engineer, last Read more with and make good any lack of College London, he was careful month). I have been around quite letters at detail in it. Hence the retention of to point out that “despite Biblical a long time and I do not recognise www.newcivil engineering competence. references sand is good for current methods of procurement as Godfrey Ackers (F), foundations”. engineer.com being traditional. Confrontational Ocean Court, Plymouth, yes, but hardly traditional or even [email protected] professional. I keep reminding people of John Ruskin’s “common law of business” which in summary TRANSPORT says that if you only pay a little then you cannot expect to get a lot. BALANCING THE Unfortunately even Cabinet ENVIRONMENTAL WITH Office staff tell us that they expect THE ECONOMIC competitive prices coupled with the highest quality. Therein lies the problem – our political masters You ask: “do any readers believe that know very little about business, the A303 Stonehenge conundrum Carillion: “Built on sand” never mind construction. cannot be solved by dualling the After a quick reading of the existing road?” (Your View, last I do agree though with your feature I am not sure that Project month). I think it’s the wrong editorial, in that companies engaged 13 will deliver any improvement question: technically, there is no in civil engineering are well advised unless the Engineer (sic) regains reason whatsoever; politically, there to concentrate upon getting his authority and stands between is a danger that this desperately technical things right. the client and any supplier. I see yet needed scheme will be killed off Dennis Gedge (M), 3 Burrow Court, another profession being invented, yet again. The reason? Simply, that Exeter Road, Newton Poppleford, alongside the Procurer, please the noisy environmental lobby is Devon EX10 0BJ welcome the Integrator. not prepared to compromise. The Ivor Richards, i.richards@ last attempt to build this project TRANSPORT rmlconsult.com was killed off (probably rightly) by then transport secretary Alistair NOISE IS A KEY Darling because of the apparent BUSINESS CULTURE STONEHENGE FACTOR intransigence of the Ministry of PAYING THE PRICE FOR Defence, the National Trust and the SCRAPPING FIXED PRICE then English Heritage. While these You ask readers to tell you whether The Editor, bodies seem to be looking more there is any reason why the A303 I refer to your Comment on New Civil favourably on the current proposals, road around Stonehenge should not the disparity between British it would take a brave politician to be kept above ground in low profile Engineer, contractors’ skills and those on try to push through a scheme that cutting. There is a one-word answer: Telephone the mainland (Comment, last did not involve tunnelling – and noise. Ask anybody who lives within month). It seems to me that the House, brave politicians seem to be in short 1km of a motorway or major arterial fundamental difference arose from 69-77 Paul supply. road about this pollution and they Britain abandoning fixed price Street, London, Those who know the landscape will tell you about the continuous contracts (ICE 4th Edition) in EC2A 4NQ will be aware of the large numbers of 24 hour background drone that favour of measurement contracts Email: nceedit@ barrows – so many that it is almost pervades their lives. (ICE 5th edition and subsequent emap.com impossible to design a scheme Isn’t the whole point of
18 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 MAIN POINT ADDRESSINGYOUR VIEWS CLIMATE AND OPINIONS CHANGE
May I congratulate Mark Hansford on the excellent series recommending the ICE adopt it in some way. of articles about climate change in the February 2018 issue. Tim Kermode (M), chair, ICE climate change taskforce, tim@tk- These are really thought provoking and demonstrate the coastal.co.uk direction that future engineers need to follow. I have been privileged to chair the ICE Climate Change I was alarmed when I saw the cover of the February task-force where, with a number of experts, we issue, wondering whether New Civil Engineer had have been struggling with the problem of how we lost its reputation for objective reporting in favour encourage all ICE members, and actually all in of climate change hysteria. Was the picture the more general engineering professions, to of the cooling towers billowing black smoke consider climate change in almost everything real? Cooling towers do not do that. Is this the they do. way you get us to take climate change more As engineers we are designing, maintaining, seriously? Then the red line showing the rising
and operating the country’s infrastructure global CO2 emissions was not “off the chart” as in a way that should be fit for the future and your headline suggested, just still rising. Then contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of I opened it to find, an advertisement on page 2, current and future generations. with a frightening picture of Tower Bridge half This year, marking the ICE’s 200th anniversary, is submerged beneath the sea, with the caption “Do a good reminder that our contributions today should you choose to sink or think?” remain active for generations to come and so need to be Your editorial Comment begin: “It’s time for an engineering adaptable to the future climate, without contributing to further revolution.” What had I been missing the last couple of years? climate change. The science is clear, but the political reality of You continue: “The science tells us that it is the level of
what will be achieved to reduce CO2 levels much less so, so the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that is unquestionably the ability to adapt to the new reality is crucial. cause of climate change.” Well, some scientists tell us that and The evidence suggests that it may not be possible to some scientists question it, so it is wrong to say “the science”
reduce CO2 sufficiently to achieve the 2°C target and active does and that it is unquestionable. You then write: “We are
CO2 removal may be the only solution. This is essentially an still not using whole-life carbon emissions as the primary engineering problem. parameter by which we decide what gets built and how it gets To emphasise the problems facing the science and built.” Why should it be the primary parameter? This sounds engineering communities, the ICE Forensic Journal produced blinkered and desperate; how serious is climate change? Then a themed issue on climate change hazards in May 2017. This you ask” “Will anything force a change?” Another desperate key reference to understand current and future climate change plea. Let’s avoid an engineering revolution and continue to use implication is available through the ICE’s virtual library. our common sense. I also draw members’ attention to the World Federation Graham Parkhouse (M), [email protected] of Engineering Organisation’s Model Code of Practice Editor’s note: Reassuringly some engineering practices are Principles for Climate Change Adaption for Engineers. This driving a revolution. Mott MacDonald’s managing director is an excellent template for all engineers and the taskforce is Mike Haigh explains what his firm is doing on p20
Stonehenge its silence and mystical last month). Education should focus spent getting back to basics and solitude? on the core engineering principles working out what the ICE could do Martin Redston (M) 4 Edward and how they are used. We did this to encourage engineers to acquire Square, London N1 0SP before the words “innovation” and and use this greater depth of “sustainability” were “invented”. knowledge. In the context of our PROFESSION We should not gain just a shallow charter “man” doesn’t mean just knowledge of the principles to allow the male of the species. “Directing” WORDS VERSUS us to cover more topics such as doesn’t mean dominion or CORE PRINCIPLES innovation and sustainability. supremacy but guiding or using. It is not the words, “innovation” If Tredgold’s definition of civil Is it me or do others see a and “sustainability”, which are engineering is evocative, expressive connection between the skills important but how we use what we and eloquent, it is not broken and deficit, highlighted by your know. In the same edition, 11 senior we should concentrate on fixing the Comment, and the obsession members of the ICE proposed to things which are. with the words “innovation” and change three words in our 1828 Frank Marples (F) “sustainability?” (New Civil Engineer, charter. Their time would be better [email protected]
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 19 Mike Haigh MOTT MACDONALD “We need climate change clearly on our agenda”
or infrastructure Investment Management’s head of professionals, climate corporate governance, Sacha Sadan, change has to be the wrote to the ICE and other profes- F next big cultural and sional institutions, calling on them behavioural shift. to make climate change “an integr al It should become ingrained to the part of the professional qualification same level as health and safety, and and practice” of their members. given the same focus as securi- The letter highlights the need for ty and staff wellbeing currently urgent action: “Leadership by your Industry View Industry receive. professional body to embed this revo- At Mott MacDonald and other lutionary change into how we design major engineering companies, and implement and create our built meetings often start with a “health environment within the next 10 to 20 and safety moment”. Reporting of years is fundamental,” it says. near misses is used to address the require disclosure of the climate Will the ICE and other professional causes of potential accidents. Pos- risks to their investments. The aim bodies act? They must. The ICE’s itive interventions are celebrated is to protect shareholders from old mission statement “Harnessing and billboards proclaim successes. financial losses by making assets the forces of nature for the benefit Health and safety are fundamental more resilient. of mankind”, and the snappier up- to our business – key performance This has initiated a chain of date “Shaping the world” are both indicators, reported alongside events that may result in profes- laden with responsibility. revenue and profit. sionals being held to account if they In the process of using capital to We recognise our obligation, and neglect to address climate change in create infrastructure that efficiently, need to achieve the same level of future infrastructure investments. profitably and sustainably serves awareness and proactive engage- In February, Legal & General society, the ICE and its member en- ment, to address the three faces gineers have to manage all forms of of climate change. These are the risk, and climate change is increas- carbon emissions from creating and ingly showing itself as one of the operating infrastructure; resilience biggest risks that society faces. to increasingly severe and frequent Climate If in future, professional engineers weather events; and sea level rise. are found incompetent or negligent Climate change is being pushed change is of climate change risks – if society up our industry’s agenda by the and investors suffer losses as a Financial Stability Board’s Task increasingly showing result – then accountability will be Force on Climate-related Financial demanded. Disclosures (TCFD). itself as one of the The infrastructure industry does Many of the biggest investors in biggest risks that not have to wait for the institutions infrastructure worldwide are signed to lead the response to Sadan’s up to the TCFD guidelines, which “ letter. A growing number of organi- society faces
20 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 World View Crunching Carbon
Our Ref Your Ref Direct TelLEGAL & GENERAL LETTER TO INSTITUTIONS Direct Fax [email protected] 2018 One ColemanLondon Street E-Mail 22 February
Our industry Date EC2R 5AA Tel: +44 (0)20 3124 3000 » has been «Surname «Title» » «Role » «Company
«Add1» shaken by climate «Add2» » «Town perils impacting urban » «County » «Post_Code
centres, and 2017 is on “ track to become one of the most expensive Dear President,
years on record DearLega l President& General Investment Management is the investment management subsidiary of Legal & General Group plc, a FTSE 100 company. We have assets under management of £951bn, as of 30 June 2017, and have a long standing commitment to raising corporate governance and Assustainability you know, standards. L&G LGIM are is a leading long-term investor investors in global inequities the and UK’s bonds built and real assets and we are ultimately interested in the value enhancement that is driven through the sustained environment.growth of companies we invest in. begin the process of identifying and As a large and mainstream Theinvestor, Climate we Impact have made Pledge a representsformal commitment our commitment to addressing to address these climate quantifying the fi nancial impacts I havechallenges recently and embracing written the low carbonto the opportunity. Chairs This of commitment all the iscompanies called the Climate we of climate change, exploring how Impact Pledge (“Pledge”). change by engaging directly with the largest companies in the world who hold the key to meeting the resilient their strategies are to investtargets inof the asking Paris Agreement their on Boards climate change. what The they companies have will be done assessed to rigorously protect and different climate scenarios, and ourranked investment for the resilience in of theirregard climate tochange the strategies, changes as well engenderedas overall governance by and transparency. Companies that fail to meet our minimum standards will be removed from our Future encouraging others to do the same.” climateFund range change. at LGIM. In the Your other funds professional where we cannot body contractually is one divest, of we thewill vote many against the “Many of the biggest investors in chair of those same companies. that provide the expertise and training and professionalism to infrastructure worldwide are signed We believe this combined approach of ranking, engagement and divestment can send a powerful up to the TCFD guidelines, requiring effectmessage the to all necessarycompanies that their changes investors are to serious mitigate about tackling and climate decarbonise change. Over time, our the intention is to improve the standards and practices in these companies to make them more resilient to disclosure of the climate risks to their economypolicy changes, in more the successful very shortin providing term. consumers As with climate low-carbon changesolutions and, mitigation ultimately, more investments,” explains Allison. prosperous as companies. We believe this targeted engagement can lead these key industries to be andmore adaptation prepared for the challengeshas moved of the future. from In turn, ad our hoc clients reporting who hold stakes within in these companies the “The consequence is that we will should benefit from their financial success in the long term. and we understand see investment diverted away from corporate responsibility area to a fundamental design parameter Your professional body is one of the many that provide the expertise and training and businesses or industries that are not forprofessionalism the built toenvironment, effect the necessary changeswe would to mitigate like and to decarbonise understand our economy. what making a positive contribution to the Climate change mitigation and adaptation has moved from ad hoc reporting within the corporate your professional body has done to embed, not as an ad 20 Paris Agreement,” Allison says. responsibility area to a fundamental design parameter for the built environment hocmitigation voluntary is difficult areabut crucial of for learning longer term butsuccess. as Wean would integral like to understand part of what the your The pace at which the fi nancial professional body has done to embed, not as an ad hoc voluntary area of learning but as an sector is acting to understand its professionalintegral part of the qualification professional qualification and and practice practice of ofall your all members. your members. sations, including Mott MacDonald, Legal & which TCFD is targetedGiven the UK’s phenomenal reputation in the built environment for skills both in engineering, exposure to climate risk is fast and design and project management, leadership by your professional bodyIt to embed takes this revolutionary a are already looking at what they do General’s Sacha l Incorporated carbonchange into howinto we designour and implement and create our built environment within the next 10- is beginning to make a real impact Given the UK’s phenomenal reputation in the built nagement Limited Sadan has years is fundamental. in the context of the United Nations’ on infrastructure clients and their corporate decision-making and risk Legal & General Investment Ma environment for skills both in engineering, designRegistered and in Englandproject and Wales No 02091894 supplywritten chains, saysto the Mott MacDonald We intend to have a meaningful impact on market and company behaviourslot into relation embed to climate Sustainable Development Goals management methodologymanagement,change. At the same leadership time, engagements by are your sufficiently professional targeted inRegistered order body to Office: ensure One to Colemanthat embed they Street are London EC2R 5AA principalICE climate and other advisor Madeleinel (SDGs), which provide a useful Rawlins. Reported our emissionsthis revolutionary annually change into how we design and implement professional Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority a new culture and framework for decision-making. “Investors are planning their fithrough rst the CDP and create reduced our builtour environment within the next 10-20 years is disclosureinstitutions, of risks within the next Addressing the causes and effects per capita footprint 5% year on year couple of years and widespread fundamental. change behaviours of climate change has bearings on calling on them It is a start, and demonstrates adoptionto make is expected climate within the next most of the 17 SDGs in some way fi ve. When this happens, consistentthat we practice whatWe lookwe preachforward to hearing from you in due course. andchange comparable “an disclosures will – and SDG 13, on climate action, inform decision making and leadwhen to providing climate change There is no time to lose. On our integral part of Yours sincerely “ specifically. advice to clients in the financial and current emissions trajectory the thethe pricing professional of climate risks. The TCFD guidelines suggest “Which in turn will lead to infrastructure industries. But as the world will be 4°C to 5°C hotter by qualificationmore allocation of capital towards Sir John Kingman, chairman action in four areas: governance, andlow carbonpractice” and climate-resilient of industry has found with health and the end of this century than it was strategy, risk management, and theirinvestments. members safety in the past, it takes a lot to before the industrial revolution. metrics and targets. All parts of our “Expect to see capital beingembed a new culture and change It does not sound a huge amount, withheld or withdrawn from industry can show leadership, and companies whose investmentsbehaviours. are but under that scenario most of the it has to start in individual board- not consistent with a 2°C pathway,Severe weather impacts are being world’s capital cities, and countless both in terms of emissions and rooms. resilience,” she adds. felt today and will get dramatically millions of the population, will be Mott MacDonald has been More than 230 organisationsworse have under all feasible climate impacted by sea-level rise, water developing core capabilities to change scenarios. stress and food insufficiency. About NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | FEBRUARY 2018 tackle climate change for the last 34 America’s 2017 hurricane season 1°C of warming has taken place to five years. We have a lot further to alone caused US$300bn (£218bn) date, and the climate impacts feel go, but so far we have: of losses, the US National Oceanic serious enough already. l Invested £1.5M in a climate & Atmospheric Administration has It is time for engineers to shape resilience initiative that works calculated. the world – and save it. across the company – all infra- That is why we need climate structure sectors and geographical change clearly on our agendas. Mike Haigh is managing director regions – to assess threats, identify Mott MacDonald and all others of Mott MacDonald Group investment solutions, shape climate in the infrastructure sector must resilient designs, and advise on risk show leadership in responding to management in asset operation the causes and impacts of climate ● New Civil Engineer is l Committed to assess the climate change by communicating them collaborating with Mott MacDonald resilience and carbon footprint of visually, verbally and digitally, at to hold a working lunch with senior every project with a capital value of every opportunity. business leaders on 25 April to over £10M, whether our clients ask We have be doing this for our discuss the industry’s preparedness for it or not staff as well as our clients, to pro- to respond to the challenge set by l Developed skills and tools tect against the risks and develop Legal & General. If you would like to specifically aimed at assisting those the opportunities presented by be involved email mark.hansford@ financial sector organisations at climate change. emap.com
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 21 Nevil Muncaster BY JESS CLARK Intelligent client gets back to civil engineering basics
etting engineers to and contracts for the next five-year return to the profes- asset management period. sion’s origins is at the The contract began in January G heart of how York- and will run until 2020 shire Water plans to with the option to extend for a spend around £1.5bn further five years. over the next few years. Yorkshire Water has also begun “We’re trying to get back to the the search for partners for the roots of civil engineering, [by] £1.1bn Yorkshire Alliance to deliver
The Interview The putting society back at the heart of the asset management plan. what we do,” says Yorkshire Water Yorkshire Water will demand director of asset management Nevil innovation and collaboration from Muncaster. its supply chain partners but is About 5.3M people live in the determined to remain in charge Yorkshire & Humberside region, as an “intelligent client”, says and the utility company supplies Muncaster. water to 2.1M residential properties defence work. “The supply chain should and 140,000 businesses. It has 671 Suppliers should also now enhance our capabilities and give treatment works and 83,000km of consider the social value a project us better capacity to serve. But pipework spread across the region. brings to a community and the skills what we don’t want then is it telling As it gears up to spend an esti- it brings and retains in the region us what to do. mated £1.5bn in the AMP7 financial when pitching for work. “We want to make sure that we’re control and investment period The Bradford-headquartered in the driving seat and remain so,” which runs between 2020/21 and provider has already appointed he says. 2024/25, it is looking for innovation Stantec as its strategic planning “It’s a huge asset base we have from the supply chain. partner in a £50M deal. Its job is to out there, and sometimes things It wants to push the supply chain prepare supply chain arrangements we think are going to work, don’t. to think beyond traditional con- We have to change priorities struction and engineering require- sometimes. ments to find solutions that benefit “We need to own what we do and the environment and improve the The supply change direction if we need to.” quality of life in the communities chain should Yorkshire Water will be looking Yorkshire Water serves. for a different kind of partner in This means that it no longer AMP7. For example, it will need to expects suppliers to only consider enhance our partner with more data analysts to costs, existing assets and future help it get the best from its existing assets when bidding for work. capabilities and physical assets. It now wants them to take into give us better “There are people who can prob- account, other factors such as ably do that much better than we the natural environment in flood “ can, so the kind of partners we’re capacity to serve
22 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Yorkshire Water is to spend £1.5bn between 2020 and 2025
looking for in future will probably be to take into account how the environ- very different to the partners we have What we’re ment and landscape can be used in today,” explains Muncaster. KEY FACTS flood protection and how they have “We still have an engineered doing is ground- helped save customers money. asset, so we’re still going to need More than 120km west of Hull in engineering partners”, he adds, 671 breaking and exciting, Hebden Bridge, flooding is also an “but we will also need a whole raft of Number of and in places, I think, issue for the community and a chal- people who manage data to go along- lenge for the water company. side our assets to help us get the best treatment globally leading The Yorkshire Dales town was out of them”. works submerged during the 2015 Boxing Muncaster says retaining the “ Day floods. region’s intellectual capital is crucial operated by varied region is challenging, Muncast- A series of tests showed that to the region’s success. Yorkshire er says. Innovative water solutions nearby reservoir levels could be There are 11 universities in the Water that benefit the community are at reduced without too much of an county but persuading the best the heart of what Yorkshire Water is adverse effect on water supply so the graduates to stay can be a challenge, trying to do, he explains. company is working on plans to use Muncaster says. 5.3M The low-lying East Yorkshire city the reservoirs above the town for “A lot of people come to university of Hull, one of the UK’s key ports, is flood storage. in Yorkshire, get their degrees and Population particularly prone to flooding. In 2007, The trial started in December and then leave and go elsewhere, and we served by a month’s worth of rain fell across will run until spring this year. want them to stay here.” Yorkshire the region in one day, affecting 9,000 The company has pledged to Yorkshire Water is one of the biggest properties and causing £41M worth of reduce leaks by 40% by 2025 in employers in the region and innovation Water damage. response to customer feedback that can encourage the brightest minds to Most flooding in the city, which sits said the current levels of water lost to stay in the area, Muncaster says. below sea level on the north bank of leaks is “unacceptable”. “It’s [about] creating the excite- the Humber estuary, is exacerbated In November, Yorkshire Water ment,” he explains. “Why would by water run-off from the surrounding launched a trial using drones and people want to work here, why would hills of the East Riding. satellites to spot leaks from the air. people want to live here? Because Hull’s sewer system becomes “What we have said is: ‘if that’s un- what we’re doing is ground-breaking inundated and cannot cope with the acceptable we need to do something and exciting, and in places, I think, excess water, Muncaster says, but ex- about it’”, says Muncaster. globally leading.” tending the sewer network would cost “To do something about it we The supply chain must offer the too much at an estimated £1bn. need to be ambitious because that same, he says. Instead, in partnership with the will bring proper innovation into the Yorkshire has swathes of country- Environment Agency, and Hull City industry.” side, with the Dales to the west, the and East Riding of Yorkshire councils, Yorkshire Water aims to be disrup- Moors in the North, the Wolds in the it has tried to stem the flow of water tive in the sector, he says, and needs East Riding and it is bordered by the from the surrounding countryside “partners who will come along and be Peak District in the south. using natural flood defences. disruptive with us too, because that is Supplying water to this vast and And they have also been designed the way we will innovate and grow.”
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 23 Martin Lambley WAVIN “For too long, water companies have been seen as traditionalists”
hroughout history, line up with the thinking around the engineers have design of sustainable drainage and been challenged to the materials supply chain. T deliver ‘better’ solutions but this FINANCIAL BENEFITS has mostly resulted in the contin- SuDS has four core pillars on which ued use of traditional drainage ma- the design focuses. The manage- terials, such as pipe for conveyance, ment of water quantity goes without but rarely delivered innovation. saying, but good SuDS design should also improve water quality, TURNING POINT provide amenity for communities The Response The We have now reached a turning and create biodiverse habitats. point. Where drainage is concerned, There is substantial evidence that there is an increasing realisation whole life costing of SuDS shows it that traditional pipe systems - moving offers financial benefits over tradi- water from collection to discharge AMP project, but Yorkshire Water’s tional drainage solutions. - no longer work in modern devel- approach to procurement for AMP7 A report for the Welsh Govern- opments. We need a better way to offers a framework which serves ment concluded that the capital design drainage. Sustainable drainage implementing innovative drainage costs of the SuDS solution were has long been lauded as the solution design well. lower than the capital costs of the and who could disagree? Dealing with conventional solution in every water at, or near, the point of collec- SUPPLY CHAIN OBJECTIVES case. SuDS replace large parts of tion makes sense and reduces the As a material supplier, it is good to traditional drainage with natural impact on water companies’ already see some clearly defined objectives solutions which benefit the environ- stretched assets. when developing solutions. The good ment. Good SuDS provide amenities It is refreshing to hear news for Yorkshire Water, and other which improve the fabric of the Nevil Muncaster talk of Yorkshire water companies, is that their devel- environment in which we live. Water wanting to be disruptive to opment requirements, in the main, allow innovation. For too long water INTEGRATING companies have been seen as tradi- Think beyond traditional construc- tionalists who dislike change. tion and engineering requirements, This certainly seemed to be the I question get SuDS design right and the case whenever the issue of sus- scheme delivers solutions that tainable drainage systems (SuDS) whether a benefit the environment and im- has been discussed. Companies prove the quality of life in commu- have hesitated to adopt SuDS SuDS scheme is ever nities water companies serve. What components, even engineered ones, more could they want? into their assets, although we are going to appear as Published seeing this stance soften. I question a stand alone AMP Martin Lambley is Wavin product in association whether a SuDS scheme is ever manager, foul, utilities and water with Wavin going to appear as a standalone “ management project
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[email protected] ejco.com/petersavage ejco.com Business Culture Civic Engineers HOLISTIC THINKERS Consultant Civic Engineers sets itself apart from the norm with its passion for social value and the impact of civil engineering on people. Emily Ashwell reports.
ivic Engineers is with, do appreciate that holistic – the impact on people,” Broster says. a small firm of KEY FACT view.” Civic Engineers is an 80-strong consultants looking to A case in point is Altrincham firm – including part time staff – with answer engineering’s town centre in Greater Manchester, offices in Manchester, London, Leeds big questions. £4.6M which in 2010 had the highest shop and Glasgow. It is set to record a Its working ethos is Size of Civic vacancy rates in the country. As turnover of £4.5M this year and, its not about parachuting into a project civil engineers for transformative directors say, is now moving out of its Cto fulfil a specific engineering brief. Engineers’ public realm works for client Trafford infancy and into the teenage years. It wants to develop a vision for how turnover Borough Council, Civic Engineers The firm was set up in 2010 during a final structure or place will feel, carried out work to link a new market the coalition government’s austerity look and work, and develop the 80 area with a new transport interchange drive. Public sector funding cuts engineering details from there. and improve the town’s main vehicle hit projects being worked on by “What you tend to find is that Number of route. Vacancy rates dropped from engineering firm Stockley, where engineers get appointed on a silo staff employed 30% to 10%, and there was a drop in Broster and his business partner basis; you’ll get a structural engineer crime and anti-social behaviour from Stephen O’Malley first worked appointed and then a civil, drainage, 310 to 279 incidents in comparable together. Stockley went into voluntary flood risk, transport, the list goes on six month periods. Footfall increased liquidation and so Broster and and on,” says one of the company’s by 170,000 in a year. O’Malley decided to set up on their two founding directors Julian Broster. “Social value is what we care about own, taking some of Stockley’s staff, “Before you know it, you have five or projects and intellectual property of six different opinions, sometimes from previous projects with them. the same company and sometimes they “That General Election was don’t know each other.” in the spring and by June they “If you’re trying to tackle the big (the government) had pretty engineering challenges on a project, Social value is much abandoned all the regional you want an engineer who can see development agencies. In the North and think strategically and then you what we care West there were 100 projects that can get into the details further down about – the impact on were funded through the North the line. It’s not for everyone, but West Development Agency. Of those certainly the clients we like working people 100 projects that were cancelled, 26 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 “ READ MORE BUSINESS AT NEWCIVILENGINEER.COM
If you have a broader range of opinions and views you’re going to get a “better answer the opportunity to elaborate further in the interview and we’ve got some well-rehearsed, well-established and credible arguments that give those people the comfort to be able to appoint us to do these types of projects,” he says. He cites the holistic thinking the firm is applying to the Avenues regeneration project in the centre of Glasgow where the firm is project leader. To achieve this big picture thinking within the firm, the directors have tried to develop a specific company ethos and structure. Put simply, they do not like departments and see them as counter-productive. Civil, structural, water, transport and other disciplines all work together. we [Stockley] had about 10,” says O’Malley (left) sized firms to get a look in. The firm has a broad mix of O’Malley. “You’re staying in business and Broster “What we want is an opportunity projects and therefore disciplines, in the hope and belief that those initially set up to compete,” says O’Malley. “We with about 65% of work in building projects would materialise, and then Civic Engineers to would contend that on a level playing structures and 35% in urban all of a sudden there’s a pen strike take on workload field we could give anybody a run infrastructure. It is also fostering a through them,” he adds. left following the for their money. The difficulty there is gender diverse workforce. Clearly it was a tough time. But collapse of their there’s an understandable degree of Overall around 35% of Civic Broster and Stockley were undaunted. former employer bias and comfort and predictability in Engineers’ workforce are women, “We knew we were good,” says safe hands – that cliché ‘you never get although this figure is 65% in the Broster. “A good team of people, good sacked for hiring IBM’. We’re not IBM.” London office. Many of the London clients and very ambitious. It didn’t So when Civic Engineers does team are women who have returned take long to decide I wanted to do this.” compete, tender bids are compliant to work after having a family and for So, both putting £5 investment with the brief, but the firm takes the whom Civic Engineers offers flexible into the business each, they started bid further to show what else it could working arrangements. a new firm, initially keeping the name bring to the project by looking at how “It takes a lot of skill to pursue Stockley and then rebranding as Civic it connects with the surrounding area. the engineering excellence we’re Engineers in 2013 to reflect their O’Malley says: “What we have interested in and to deliver that skill pride in being engineers and their become increasingly adept at doing is we need to create a certain culture, civic work. interpreting that brief for the client. that is not just in our engineering Today, O’Malley and Broster say So the clients will give you a clue in but right the way across the board,” their biggest frustration is getting the the brief as to what their appetite for says O’Malley. “And that culture is opportunity to bid for major projects, change and “risk taking” might be and about flexibility, accommodation, especially when some clients are you can see that in the tender and helpfulness, ingenuity, and that’s in looking for the security of a big name. brief and you can open it up during all aspects of how we want to run the They would love to take a bite out of the tender process in terms of your business. If you have a broader range some of the UK’s huge infrastructure tender response. of opinions and views you’re going to projects such as High Speed 2, getting “And assuming you’ve got that get a better answer.” involved in the huge Euston Station balance right, and you’ve got the And by providing better answers, remodelling for example, but say it right mix of people in the room Civic Engineers hopes the big can be difficult for small and medium- making decisions, you’ve then got questions will keep coming. N
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 27 Business Culture Research & Development MISSING A TRICK Construction companies are doing research and development without realising it, and failing to claim tax relief as a result. Jess Clark reports.
ivil engineering the total amount claimed respectively, and construction KEY FACT government statistics show. companies could be The main reason for the lack of losing out on millions take up in the construction sector is of pounds every £16.5bn a mismatch between the defi nition year due to a lack of Amount of of R&D in the tax code and in the credit schemes, defi nes R&D as a understanding about how they can perception of R&D within the project that creates new processes, Cclaw back money through research R&D tax relief construction industry, says business products or services, or which makes and development tax breaks. claimed since consultant Invennt director Tim Fitch. improvements to existing ones, and About £16.5bn of tax relief has been 2000 “The phrase R&D often brings overcomes technological or systems claimed since the UK Government’s to mind scientists in white coats, uncertainty. research and development (R&D) in a laboratory, looking down a Overcoming uncertainty, when tax credit scheme was launched in £45M microscope at a petri dish,” he says. translated into construction 2000. In 2015/16 £2.9bn was paid out Amount “Every single person I ask says that.” speak, can be understood as risk across all industries but only £45M But HMRC, which runs the tax management and systems integration, of that went to the construction construction Fitch says. The R&D taking place in sector, according to the latest HMRC has claimed in construction fi rms is not necessarily statistics. R&D tax relief happening in laboratories, but it is The scheme, which was established In the happening in “doing the doing, in the to increase investment in innovation, since 2000 day-to-day stuff”, he adds. “In the generated a total of 26,255 claims construction construction context, research and in the same fi nancial year. Only development generally happens at the 705 of those claims were made by context, research and drawing board, in the offi ce, on the construction fi rms, fi gures show. The construction site, where people are industries that consistently make the development generally trying to manage that technical risk.” most claims are the manufacturing, In the construction industry this professional, scientifi c and technical happens at the drawing can include fi nding easier, safer or sector; and the information and “ more environmentally friendly ways board, in the o ce, on communication sector. These of working and developing new accounted for a total of 73% and 75% of the construction site materials to advance solutions.
28 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER APRIL 2018 READ MORE BUSINESS AT NEWCIVILENGINEER.COM
When working out the method of demolishing an existing structure, “often part of that cost qualifi es
against tax include staff salaries, subcontractor and freelancer payments, expenditure on materials and consumables, and some types of software. Larger companies are eligible for a Research & Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC). This tax credit is calculated at 12% of the company’s qualifying R&D expenditure and is worth 10p for every £1 spent on R&D, say tax accountants Forrest Brown. SMEs that are subcontracted to do R&D work by a large company are also entitled to claim RDEC. The defi nition of what constitutes R&D is the same under both schemes, although the rate and eligibility criteria differ. Innovation in civil engineering is often discussed, Fitch says, but a lack of money to invest is a barrier to progress. If the funds that are generated Government R&D credit guidance Innovations of a company that modifi ed a wood from identifying the research for small businesses says: “in general, eligible for R&D coating, allowing it to use cheaper and development that is already [construction] is a traditional and tax relief often materials with the same qualities. being done as part of day-to-day well-proven industry. However, an happen on site The guide says: “Signifi cantly this construction is then reinvested in increasing number of companies development was a small element of “more traditional” R&D, innovation undertake R&D to exceed the an overall conventional project. will increase within the industry. traditional methods in terms of life “Only after discussion with the site “Commentators are saying, ‘invest expectancy of buildings, durability or foreman did the company directors in robots, offsite manufacturing, new robustness”. realise that the modifi cation and ways of working and IT’, all of those One construction sub-sector application of the coating qualifi ed for things that most people in their gut cited as participating in research R&D relief.” know is what the industry needs and development is demolition. The tax scheme was introduced to to do, but no one has done it fast Companies in this sector have been encourage innovation across British enough because there’s not enough innovative in coming up with newer, industry, and there are schemes for money there,” says Fitch. safer, more environmentally friendly companies of all sizes. The size of the “The drum that I’m banging is that methods of demolition, and working company infl uences which of two tax if you claim this back, you’ll have within complex constraints. “Many credit schemes it is eligible for. plenty of money compared to what of their projects have some unique The government established you’ve currently got.” characteristics around them, so in a scheme for small to medium “One of the blockers we have got is effect when working out the method of enterprises (SMEs), which are defi ned paying for it [innovation], but we still demolishing an existing structure, often by HMRC as companies with fewer need the vision around what we are part of that cost qualifi es,” Fitch says. than 500 staff and a turnover of less trying to do. Smaller elements of projects can than 100M (£88.5M) or a balance “The money will be there to invest also qualify as R&D. In its guidance sheet total of less than 86M (£76M). in it, but we still need to have the for SMEs, HMRC uses the example Costs that can be claimed idea, and manage the idea.” N
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SHOULD INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING BE MORE CUSTOMER FOCUSED? / PAGE 32 HOW CAN TRANSPORT USERS’ EXPERIENCES BE IMPROVED? / PAGE 38 THE INDUSTRY’S ATTITUDE TO ROADWORKS IS CHANGING / PAGE 44
APRIL 2018 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 31 Road protesters immobilise SHARE construction plant at Twyford Down AND CARE ‘Customer First’ is the latest buzz phrase doing the rounds in major projects. Maybe it should be implemented first in infrastructure planning. Jackie Whitelaw reports.
Customer groups campaigner for Campaign for of major infrastructure, if the ultimate Better Transport Chris Todd. customer – the public – feels it has First KEY FACTS “Not once has there been public not been consulted early enough, that discussion on whether there should it has not been offered alternatives 47,000 actually be a tunnel at Stonehenge and that it has had no involvement ere’s a tale of two or perhaps a sensible alternative in the development of the idea, it tunnels. One is Number of scheme that moved the trunk traffic will kick back. And the feeling that wanted by local responses to away,” says former highway engineer infrastructure is being done to them, people but is not and one-time mayor of local town not for them, will grow. being offered; another one highway Amesbury Andy Rhind-Tutt. There are countless other is being driven project in “The trunk element of the road examples, not least the UK’s biggest forward, but with mixed local 2016 could be re-routed to support the current infrastructure project, High Hresponse and significant national and south Wiltshire economy as well Speed 2, where the intended end international opposition. Both are as the West Country, with the road game has already been re-written attracting approbation because of a £250M unlocking daily gridlock on the A36, at least three times in a bid to quell perceived lack of consultation. A338 and A30,” he adds. public opposition. In February, plans for the A5036 Estimated What is being demonstrated here is This matters particularly right Port of Liverpool Access Road were cost of the that, however laudable the end game now. In the summer the National kicked into judicial review following controversial Infrastructure Commission (NIC) will an objection by Sefton Council which come out with its first assessment accused Highways England of failing Port of of the nation’s future infrastructure to consult on a tunnel option for a Liverpool Highways needs. No-one knows yet what it £250M road that was planned through will include (except perhaps its new Rimrose Valley country park. Access Road England needs chairman, past ICE president Sir The second is at Stonehenge John Armitt), but power stations, where proposals to dig into the to review the way reservoirs, railways, roads and archaeologically rich landscape of airport runways could well be Britain’s greatest ancient asset and a it consults on road at the forefront of the public’s World Heritage site to boot to create consciousness following its tunnel portals are causing uproar. schemes to ensure that publication. “We think Highways England needs “ And the impression that the to review the way it consults on road a full range of options country operates a “we know best, schemes to ensure that a full range it’s good for you and don’t worry your of options is included,” says local is included heads” approach to infrastructure
32 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Public engagement must happen early and provide opportunity to “influence decisions
understand the process. Road investment strategies, rail enhancement delivery plans, water industry asset management plans, and so on provide more detail but consultations do not really engage the general public, however hard project promoters may try. It is not until the individual projects that will deliver national strategy arrive almost fully-formed for public consultation that communities really notice what is going on. By then it is too late to have the debate about whether a scheme should be a road or a railway, or whether it should go north or go south rather than through, say, a World Heritage Site. It is true that there are very lengthy public consultations before projects apply for planning permission and planning is unlikely to be the best there is a six month examination way to get the population behind the WHAT IS CUSTOMER FIRST? by the Planning Inspectorate once commission’s ambition. applications have been made The commission itself is conscious where voices for and against can be of the need to bring the public with it heard. The Planning Inspectorate in its deliberations. Being customer-first believes it can. then makes recommendations to As Armitt said at the ICE last means making decisions “Regulators and clients the relevant secretary of state. But September: “Across the sector, we based on who your need to set up new increasingly there are arguments that all need to do more to consult and customers are as human programmes in a way the public – the ultimate customer – listen to a wide range of views to beings, not just data that prioritises the end feels like it is being involved too late ensure we identify where the needs points, says Carlos user, firmly embedding to make a difference. are, and to secure the support of the Dominguez, president of customer outcomes into “Consultations are vital to a public as one of the country’s biggest social media management operating models,” he project’s success, but are fixed infrastructure investors.” company Sprinklr. says. periods in a programme,” says Martin The big problem appears to be “For example, water McCrink, a director of specialist when and how that consultation takes There are now companies regulator Ofwat demands communications and engagement place. Does it need to be much, much that will offer a that operators orientate consultancy Copper. earlier and more open and with more “Putting the Customer their entire business plans “Our proprietary research shows active engagement? First” accreditation around customer-focused when the public is presented with “The processes through which mark, and that too is objectives: service, price, an individual project, it feels it has major infrastructure projects in gaining popularity with resilience and innovation.” missed out on the first chapters of the the UK gain planning permission organisations such as But more must be done story including the need; the sectors can contribute to local feelings of Mersey Rail and Capita to communicate in clear that require investment; the benefit to antagonism and unfairness which among those seeking and language, he says. the country and benefit to where they leads to opposition,” says think receiving the plaudit. “Put simply, our sector live and work,” says McCrink. tank Institute for Government’s But can the concept can do more to educate “This leads to an investment- infrastructure lead Nick Davies. be genuinely applied to customers about the benefit disconnect that can result in National Policy Statements, against infrastructure planning? benefits of infrastructure people feeling that individual projects which all schemes considered to be Turner & Townsend investment. happen ‘to them’ rather than ‘for Nationally Significant Infrastructure head of infrastructure “We need to translate them’,” he adds. Projects are judged, do go out for south & national the technical work into Davies also believes more and consultation but are necessarily commercial services meaningful messages to earlier public involvement would help vague, he says, and more for the David Whysall customers,” he says. schemes gain acceptance and head professional organisations that off expensive opposition later in the
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 33 Talent Champion Excellence in Transport Awcock Ward Partnership BWB Group Breheny Civil Engineering Curtins NCE100 SHORTLIST REVEALED! BWB Group Jackson Civil Engineering CGL Jacobs Costain Mace Curtins Patrick Parsons 23 May 2018 | Troxy, London Dougall Baillie Associates Ramboll Westlakes Engineering WSP Innovation in Project Health and Wellbeing Leader TECH EXCELLENCE SHAPING THE WORLD Excellence in Urban Living Management Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Bryden Wood Technology FOR TABLE ENQUIRIES Construction Innovator Arcadis Awcock Ward Partnership Excellence in Alternative CGL Jack Procter Davies Maguire IDOM Black & Veatch Energy Civic Engineers 0203 953 2093 Interserve Construction Kier Bryden Wood Technology Beckett Rankine Clancy Consulting [email protected] Kier London Bridge Associates Hydrock IDOM HR Wallingford Mace Opus International Consultants Interserve Construction JBA Consulting Waterman Pell Frischmann RPS Group Jacobs Mott MacDonald Wills Bros Engineering SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES Robert Bird Group Webb Yates Engineers Waterco Consultants Robert Bird Group WSP Francis Barham Van Elle Sweco UK 0203 953 2912 Wentworth House Partnership Smart Operator Leader in Collaboration Walters [email protected] Arcadis Black & Veatch WYG Excellence in Water Design Innovator Black & Veatch Capita Property and Infrastructure Arup AKTII Jacobs Clarkebond (UK) Black & Veatch #NCE100 Arup Mott MacDonald Curtins Excellence in Climate FCC Construcción @ncedigital Dr Sauer & Partners Opus International Consultants Hydrock Resilience GHD Edenvale Young Associates Royal HaskoningDHV Thomas Consulting Arcadis HR Wallingford Ramboll RPS Group Waterco Consultants Civic Engineers IDOM Sweco UK Waldeck Consulting Webb Yates Engineers Floodline Consulting Jacobs WSP HR Wallingford London Bridge Associates WYG BUSINESS CULTURE Low Carbon Leader JBA Consulting Stantec Royal HaskoningDHV Innovation in Project Diversity Champion Design2e RPS Group Initiation Jackson Civil Engineering Arcadis Waterco Consultants Arup Arup Jacobs CampbellReith BDP Mace Costain CGL Sweco UK 100awards.newcivilengineer.com DesignID Mott MacDonald Taylor & Boyd Glanville Consultants Project Centre Thornton Tomasetti Platinum sponsor Silver Sponsor Supporter Mott MacDonald Ramboll Walters Peter Brett Associates WSP Project Centre Talent Champion Excellence in Transport Awcock Ward Partnership BWB Group Breheny Civil Engineering Curtins NCE100 SHORTLIST REVEALED! BWB Group Jackson Civil Engineering CGL Jacobs Costain Mace Curtins Patrick Parsons 23 May 2018 | Troxy, London Dougall Baillie Associates Ramboll Westlakes Engineering WSP Innovation in Project Health and Wellbeing Leader TECH EXCELLENCE SHAPING THE WORLD Excellence in Urban Living Management Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Bryden Wood Technology FOR TABLE ENQUIRIES Construction Innovator Arcadis Awcock Ward Partnership Excellence in Alternative CGL Jack Procter Davies Maguire IDOM Black & Veatch Energy Civic Engineers 0203 953 2093 Interserve Construction Kier Bryden Wood Technology Beckett Rankine Clancy Consulting [email protected] Kier London Bridge Associates Hydrock IDOM HR Wallingford Mace Opus International Consultants Interserve Construction JBA Consulting Waterman Pell Frischmann RPS Group Jacobs Mott MacDonald Wills Bros Engineering SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES Robert Bird Group Webb Yates Engineers Waterco Consultants Robert Bird Group WSP Francis Barham Van Elle Sweco UK 0203 953 2912 Wentworth House Partnership Smart Operator Leader in Collaboration Walters [email protected] Arcadis Black & Veatch WYG Excellence in Water Design Innovator Black & Veatch Capita Property and Infrastructure Arup AKTII Jacobs Clarkebond (UK) Black & Veatch #NCE100 Arup Mott MacDonald Curtins Excellence in Climate FCC Construcción @ncedigital Dr Sauer & Partners Opus International Consultants Hydrock Resilience GHD Edenvale Young Associates Royal HaskoningDHV Thomas Consulting Arcadis HR Wallingford Ramboll RPS Group Waterco Consultants Civic Engineers IDOM Sweco UK Waldeck Consulting Webb Yates Engineers Floodline Consulting Jacobs WSP HR Wallingford London Bridge Associates WYG BUSINESS CULTURE Low Carbon Leader JBA Consulting Stantec Royal HaskoningDHV Innovation in Project Diversity Champion Design2e RPS Group Initiation Jackson Civil Engineering Arcadis Waterco Consultants Arup Arup Jacobs CampbellReith BDP Mace Costain CGL Sweco UK 100awards.newcivilengineer.com DesignID Mott MacDonald Taylor & Boyd Glanville Consultants Project Centre Thornton Tomasetti Platinum sponsor Silver Sponsor Supporter Mott MacDonald Ramboll Walters Peter Brett Associates WSP Project Centre World View Customer First
What we did to Twyford Down was outrageous. It is the worst piece of civil “engineering I have ever seen in my life
process. “The government has tried to streamline the consultation process with the result that it often builds up trouble,” he observes. “Local input often comes too late in the process to be part of a constructive dialogue about available options and if people feel it is unfair and their voices are not heard they will seek other ways to get their opinions noticed.” Certainly the promoter of another of the UK major road projects, the Lower Thames Crossing, would Hampshire, which has links to pre- Stonehenge: decision making processes of major argue that public involvement is Roman settlements. Avoiding another infrastructure projects of national happening early – and that such early Although the road was eventually Twyford Down? interest’.” engagement must go broader than completed in 1994, it became a The CNDP hosts local public local communities. symbol of destructive engineering debates on contentious major Highways England project director and was described in Parliament projects in all sectors, not just Tim Jones describes how a 2016 route in 1994 as “the most controversial rail, as early as possible in their consultation attracted more than British motorway project ever to start development. All participants, for 47,000 responses (see feature p44). construction.” or against a project, are given equal To Jones, local people and road So how do Jones and the rest of the resources to make their cases. The users must have their voices heard: infrastructure sector avoid judicial CNDP then summarises these views “You have to ask their [road users’] reviews or, in the worst case, a repeat in a report to which project sponsors views as well. They are as much part of the industry-reputation damaging must respond. of a public consultation as the local Twyford Down battles? The CNDP is neutral and people,” he says. “Listen to them, and The Institute for Government trusted. It has no ability to enforce find a way of actually talking to them (IFG) thinks the UK should look to recommendations but most project about what is in it for them. Why is it France for a better system of public sponsors act on them. “Of the important?” engagement. 61 projects on which the CNDP By engaging early with both groups In its report How to transform facilitated debates between 2002 Jones is determined that his scheme infrastructure decision making in the and 2012, 38 made modifications, avoids the pitfalls of earlier highways UK it advocates the creation of a including 25 that changed their schemes such as the Newbury bypass Commission for Public Engagement plans based on options that emerged and Twyford Down. Both projects based in part on the success of provoked mass protests. Twyford France’s Commission Nationale du remains indefensible, he says. Débat Public (CNDP). “I think what we did to Twyford “The CNDP was established in the Down was absolutely outrageous. It is late 1980s in a similar context to that Giving the the worst piece of civil engineering I facing the UK now: declining central think I have ever seen in my life”, says state power and well-organised public a real say Jones. opposition to strategically important In 1991, protesters camped out on [in France, particularly rail] projects,” in policy and planning site and chained themselves to plant IFG explains. “In response, the French can be extremely in an attempt to stop an extension of government set up the CNDP to the M3 at historic Twyford Down in ensure ‘public participation in the “effective 36 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 from the public debate,” IFG says. Some schemes have been cancelled altogether. Those that go forward do DESIGN PANELS so with public support. “French project sponsors have come to view the CNDP process as a valuable exercise in public “We are there to help projects engagement and data collection rather than a burden or a threat,” achieve their maximum potential” says IFG. Systra director of consulting Boris Rowenczyn has experience of the impact of the CNDP process. In the absence of a Commission for Public are there to help projects achieve their maximum “Projects are debated before Engagement or similar, design review panels potential and beneficially influence design at the options are decided or during have been set up to give the public confidence in the beginning, before planning permission, when development. major infrastructure. changes add value at the least cost. The best time “The public debate can help for projects to go to a panel is when the need is choose between options even The highest profile design panel right now is established and a business case is understood, between whether a rail route should unquestionably the one overseeing the High but when the approach to design is still being be high speed or conventional rail, Speed 2 (HS2) project. formed.” for example. And project sponsors Led by dRMM Architects founder Sadie He is currently “benched” from the HS2 design will listen to the public and make Morgan, its role is to oversee the design of the panel because his practice was commissioned to changes.” high speed line, helping to ensure that through work with Atkins on that Colne Valley Viaduct Recent debates have covered plans great design it delivers real economic, social and specimen design. The design was developed for a £1.8bn to £2.8bn high speed environmental benefits for the whole country. around criteria that include whether it fits the suburban rail line in Lille. Most recently it has put out indicative designs landscape, maintains views and landscape flow as The discussion has resulted in a for the Colne Valley viaduct, which set a high well as being well proportioned and elegant. separate study to see if improving aesthetic standard for the contracting JV to He stresses the design is not prescriptive but Lille Flandres Station would be an deliver to. sets the ambition for the contractor to achieve. alternative. But it is not the first. He also acknowledges that there will have to And in Paris, debate on proposals “The panels are often the forum where be refinement during the contractors’ detailed for a Bus Rapid Transit scheme in the technology and the public overlap,” says Knight design. “Ideally the viaduct wouldn’t have bearings suburbs demonstrated that the route Architects director Martin Knight. in the wet zone and other options should be was not the best for the public and “Where questions like who a piece of explored, but the specimen wasn’t prepared in the significant changes were made. infrastructure is for and how it impacts them are absence of technical issues,” he insists. People understand the need for more important even than what the structural “The braking loads of high speed trains have infrastructure and the early debates design is and how it is built.” been highly influential, for example. But you allow those in favour as well as Knight has sat on the Design Commission for have to start with who the design is for; creating those opposing a scheme to have Wales for 11 years and has seen how beneficial a something our descendants 100 years from now their voices heard . IFG would like a panel can be. “They are a very positive thing; we will be happy with.” Commission for Public Engagement to conduct the public conversations with communities affected as early as publication of the NIC strategy and through the subsequent National Policy Statements. “Giving the public a real say in policy and planning can be extremely effective,” says Davies. “It can build consensus and constructive dialogue around controversial subjects – giving a voice to supporters as well as opponents and linking local discussions about impacts to national discussions about needs. Colne Valley viaduct: “But to be effective, public Not prescriptive, but engagement must happen an ambition for the early, consistently and provide contractor to achieve communities with a genuine opportunity to influence decisions.” N
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 37 USER FRIENDLY Anthony Smith of Transport Focus sets out what his research says about current users’ experiences, priorities for improvement, trust in the industry and how their journeys make them feel.
Sally and Peter’s rail and road commutes make good case studies
Customer fare or the average driver, however. Southampton using the M3. It usually Sally P is a good case study. One takes about an hour for the 50km First of an arguably dying breed of the trip, but varies hugely by time of 10-journeys-a-week commuter, she day. Increasingly Peter sets off early travels in from Basingstoke to London to try and beat the rush but so do ow was the journey?’: Waterloo and back every day. Her many others. While the price of fuel ‘OK, got a seat…’ and annual season ticket will cost £4,424. fluctuates, Peter’s feeling is that the “Fine, no holdups…’ On a calculation of some 460 journeys cost of motoring only rises. These two simple a year, this works out at around £9.50 For Sally, a steady period of answers to two ANTHONY each journey, arguably a reasonable improving performance has recently simple questions sum SMITH sum. However, the railway gets the ebbed away. More “bad” days, with up the aspiration and, sometimes, is the chief money in advance every year and longer hold ups. A familiar litany of experience of many of Britain’s rail has no bad debt to chase. Sally also signal, track circuit and rolling stock H executive and road users, and sets out what has little choice – this is the only failures has made the journey less they most want from the railway, at rail and way, practically, to reach the job predictable. More passengers are buses and roads in 2018 and beyond. opportunities London offers, and the using the service, so getting a seat Passengers judge the railways and road user housing price Basingstoke provides. and getting on at all is more difficult. buses by the basic promise of the watchdog After her mortgage, this is Sally’s Delays, due in part to the number of timetable. Road users set their own Transport second biggest expense. trains using the network, are hard to timetable for their journey based on Peter is Sally’s partner. He recover. How delays are dealt with experience or planning. All want their Focus drives most days of the week becomes very important. journeys to take roughly that length from Basingstoke to just outside There has been much welcome of time. investment with more to come, of They do not want hold ups. If there course. The August 2017 Waterloo are hold ups they want them sorted upgrade was handled well but quickly with good information. If Passengers maybe too much was promised there are planned engineering or to passengers about the station roadworks they want to know about judge the reopening smoothly – and hence them in advance and they want to there was some disappointment when know why they are happening. So railways and buses by there were signalling problems on there is a broad similarity between the reopening day after the blockade. road, bus and rail users’ needs. the basic promise of Was the network ever going to be There is no such thing as the perfect on day one, after works were average passenger paying an average “the timetable finished? 38 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Passengers do not catch a vision or a strategy, they want to catch “the next train London tell a patchy story as congestion bites. Traffic speeds slow, bus companies have to put on more buses to maintain frequency, costs rise, fares rise and a vicious cycle sets in. Dealing with urban congestion, and the air quality that goes with it, is a priority for local authorities, bus companies and passengers. So what does our insight work tell us? All of our research underpins Sally’s rail experience. The bi-annual National Rail Passenger Survey – completed by over 65,000 passengers across Great Britain – tells a clear and consistent story. Performance drives satisfaction. How delays are dealt with drives why a smaller number of passengers are dissatisfied – flip sides of the same coin. Transport Focus’ recently- published Rail Passenger Priorities Familiar, deep-seated problems are for Improvement shows, when the going to take years to address but performance-related factors are Sally just wants her boringly reliable WHAT IS TRANSPORT FOCUS? added together, that a more reliable service back. railway, followed by better value The basic tenet is you probably Transport Focus is the transport users, to boost for money and a better chance of will not please commuters, but what independent consumer the user voice in long- getting a seat dominate. Our work you must not do is displease them – watchdog for users of term decision making and on trust in the rail industry and the indifference is success. England’s motorways to make Transport Focus emotions that journeys generate Peter’s experience has slowly and major A-roads, an evidence and insight among passengers again shows that worsened. Levels of traffic just seem Britain’s rail passengers hub. reliability rules. to keep increasing. This slows all and bus, coach and tram It talks to hundreds So the focus on maintenance and traffic down to a steady 40mph flow. passengers in England of thousands of renewals in the next 2020-2025 rail The smallest incident or accident can outside London. transport users every spending period is really welcome. cause major tailbacks, leaving him sat year about their daily Passengers do not catch a vision or a in traffic with little idea about what A consumer organisation, experiences, priorities for strategy, they want to catch the next is happening and when he will get to it uses evidence and improvement, trust and train. Yes, there have to be long-term where he is going. insight to drive change for how their journeys make planning and strategies but please do But improvements are taking place. transport users. Its aims them feel. All its work is not lose sight of the present. Some sections of the motorway are are to make a difference published online at www. That is how the industry and now “smart” – the hard shoulder has for today’s and tomorrow’s transportfocus.org.uk the government will be judged by been turned into a lane and better, passengers. Passengers never like more flexible, signs are in use. On paying the prices they do, but are the other hand the experience of willing to tolerate it if the basic making those improvements has promises are kept. As performance been very painful. There have been remains patchy so complaints are long stretches of narrow lanes with climbing and backlogs are building dense traffic. Driving for 30km right up – the industry needs to gear up for next to a lorry is harrowing. Shorter the new normal level of complaint. sections of roadworks, or larger We will advocate for passengers in schemes broken down into phases, is around 5,000 complaints this year something Transport Focus has been – the biggest source of complaint is calling for and it is an idea now under how complaints are dealt with. active consideration. Peter’s commutes are pretty Bus passenger numbers outside typical. We know from the National
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 39 World View Customer First
How be in time for their meeting. This is a big improvement on those “long WHAT ROAD USERS WANT FROM RIS2 unexpected delays” signs road users say are not very helpful. A welcome change from delays are handled l Enhanced safety Highways England. l Improving journey times Road user welfare is another on motorways and l Improved surface quality, signage and lighting issue. People with medical issues, l Better information disabilities, those with young major A-roads is also l Improved roadside facilities children or who are pregnant may “ l Better integration with other roads have particular needs that have to be an important issue l Meeting the needs of bus and coach operators addressed. Users want to know that and their passengers trapped traffic will be turned round l Improved provision for cyclists, pedestrians quickly, and better still if vehicles Road Users’ Satisfaction Survey that and equestrians could be prevented from joining the the key driver of satisfaction for l Future-proofed new investment to accommodate back of a queue in the first place. strategic road users is journey time. autonomous vehicles Sustained, long-term investment is Transport Focus’ Strategic Roads User the key to future success, including Survey, which has just kicked off, will From: Road user priorities for the Road Investment Strategy in renewing what we already have. provide more and better data on the 2020-2025, Transport Focus, February 2018 We have a government that is willing daily roads experience. Its report on to invest in the railways and road road user priorities for improvement infrastructure. surprised some. The quality of road The multi-billion pound, five-year surfaces comes out as the top priority OVERALL SATISFACTION (%) Control Period funding settlements for improvement among car, van, HGV for the railway and Road Investment MOTORWAYS & MAJOR ‘A’ ROADS drivers and motorcyclists. Strategies are great. 95 They have high expectations of However, all that investment is the quality of road surfaces on fast, going to cause disruption while it 91.5% usually 70mph roads and want them Percentage 90.7% is done – communications to users well maintained and improved. must be honest in this respect. Three 90 89.6% 89.3% 89.1% Sometimes the quality of the surfaces 88.5% months of bus replacement on the gets ragged at the edges or joins Blackpool to Preston corridor at the between lanes, a particular issue for same price as a rail ticket? Miles and motorcyclists. While the capacity 85 miles of smart motorway work? The of the network is a concern when public has to be prepared. individual routes are looked at, Transport Focus has done a for many drivers their everyday lot of work with Great Western experience chimes with their 80 Railway, Northern, what was South expectations. It is crowded but only 2 4 6 West Trains, East Midlands Trains, with the “usual disruption”. 2011-1 2012-13 2013-1 2014-15 2015-1 2016-17 Network Rail and others, examining So, the balance of spending in the how engineering works are handled. second Road Investment Strategy, Its benchmarking of passenger which runs from 2020-25, must have miles of tailbacks? awareness and understanding of the plenty of cash set aside for Highways More helpful information on the works at Waterloo, Reading, Bath, England to maintain and renew what road is vital. Take Paul for example. KEY FACTS Glasgow Queen Street, Liverpool we have already, to the standard road He lives in Manchester and has a Lime Street, Derby and other places users expect. meeting in Birmingham at 2 o’clock. has helped the industry to handle How rail disruption is handled He has not planned ahead and 99% the communications around these is the key driver of passenger checked the traffic, but as a regular Overall works much better – we are getting dissatisfaction. Likewise, how driver of this route knows, it gets customer good as a country at doing this. unexpected delays are handled on slow through the M6 roadworks at the This must continue especially as motorways and major ‘A’ roads is moment and it can be very congested satisfaction works at Euston station start in also an important issue. Transport towards Birmingham where the M5 score of earnest. Following Transport Focus Focus research published last year, starts. campaigning, quality bus replacement Incidents and roadworks: A road user But today there is a problem. Edinburgh – recently seen in Liverpool and perspective, found that users want Overhead signs are telling Paul that tram Blackpool – is finally becoming the good, reliable information when the M6 on his route has delays of 40 norm. incidents happen. How long will I be minutes due to an incident. This is All of Transport Focus’ work on stuck in this traffic jam? Should I get potentially an issue but he has built behalf of strategic road users has someone to pick up the kids from in an hour’s contingency. Paul can let been pulled together to help inform school for me? Is someone thinking his colleagues know he’ll arrive later development of the second Road about the people stuck in miles and than planned, but he is still likely to Investment Strategy in road users’
40 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 There’s more to
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Competition from the WHAT RAIL PASSENGERS WANT expanded private WHAT RAIL PASSENGERS WANT
hire industry, home Price of train tickets o ers better value for money 477 deliveries and other Passengers able to get a seat on the train 318 “ More trains arrive on time than happens now 178 factors is changing the way people travel Less frequent major unplanned disruptions to your journey 166 Fewer trains cancelled than happens now 161
Trains su ciently frequent at the times I wish to travel 156 priorities for the Road Investment Less disruption due to engineering works 116 Strategy, 2020-25. We have a major work stream focused on planned Train company keeps passengers informed about delays 115 roadworks. We are pressing for the Free Wi-Fi available on the train 108 accuracy of information about when and where roadworks are taking place Inside of train is maintained and cleaned to a high standard 99 to be markedly better. Among others, 0100 200 300 400 500 knowing which roads will be closed overnight is vital for the freight Transport Focus surveyed 12,800 rail passengers. Priorities are shown as an index, averaged on 100. A score of more than 100 indicates the logistics sector. Traffic England must improvement is of above average priority for passengers be a source of accurate, helpful information on roadworks, something it currently struggles to achieve. nirvana, scoring nearly 99% overall to boot. Users welcome investment in roads satisfaction with the journey just Sally, Peter, Paul and others will and accept that it means cones, KEY FACTS completed. Shame trams are so judge the government and transport temporary barriers, narrow lanes expensive and intrusive to build. industry on shorter term factors. How and speed limits. But these cause There are grounds for optimism. often is my train and bus on time? stress and road users want to see 89% The government and transport How often am I am held up? How is their interests are being balanced Satisfaction industry are user-focused in a way disruption dealt with? Can I get a seat against those of the project. It is not seen before. This year a lot of or at least stand in some comfort? important then to get on with the job, score of investment will bear fruit: Thameslink Can the road network cope with working day and night to get the work road users – including the finishing of the traffic levels? done so that users feel that their nationally epic London Bridge rebuild – new So, what should transport users inconvenience is worth it. Where intercity trains, the Elizabeth Line, do? Complain when things go wrong work is not happening, increasing new commuter trains in Scotland and – send a clear message. Praise when speed limits where it is safe to do so 83% elsewhere, the Ordsall Chord is open things go well. will help reduce roadworks angst. and in use, cascades of good quality Transport Focus will continue to Highways England’s trials in this area Satisfaction trains for refurbishment and reuse campaign to improve performance, are welcome. score of and myriad smaller but important the handing of disruption and Bus companies and local rail users track and signals work will start to compensation systems. We will authorities are investing in new affect the experience of many. continue to ensure the passenger services and bus priority measures nationally High Speed 2, which ultimately will voice is heard at the highest level but the competition from the benefit large parts of the country, is when major decisions are being expanded private hire industry, still on track. made about investment and daily home deliveries and other factors More smart motorways and performance. is changing the way people travel. improvements to A-roads, such as the But everyone in the transport Passenger satisfaction, as measured recently completed A556 link between industry and its suppliers should by the Transport Focus Bus Passenger the M6 and M56 and A1 Leeming to carry a small card which they should Survey, is generally high but we are Barton improvements, will ease the get out at every meeting. On it should surveying a dwindling market of bus daily experience for road users, as be the simple words: users and consumers. will any improvements to the roads l safety first Meanwhile tram passengers are feeding the strategic roads network . l reliability rules very happy. The Transport Focus Highways England and the Police are l clear up unplanned disruption Tram Passenger Survey shows great focused on clearing up accidents and faster passenger satisfaction scores. incidents more quickly with better l think user when planning and doing The Edinburgh tram is passenger information and welfare for motorists engineering and road works. N
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allplan.com Customer First Debate NEW WAYS OF THINKING The industry’s attitude to roadworks has changed over the last 20 years. Fiona McIntyre reports.
THE BACKGROUND
2,092km £15.2bn 2,500 Amount of extra Funding for Number of lane capacity to RIS1 which deaths RIS1 will be added during covers 2015- help prevent Highways 2020. Includes through safety England’s more than 100 improvements. fi ve year RIS1 major projects spending which enhance, programme. renew and invest in the network. READ MORE DEBATES AT NEWCIVILENGINEER.COM/NCE-LIVE
ince its inception in 2015, Highways England has been We didn’t do ambitious. Under its first Road Investment Strategy (RIS1) anything for running from 2015 to 2020, Highways England is delivering customers. We built roads a £15.2bn improvement programme. So far, and bridges because we Smore than 305km of extra lane capacity has been added to the network and around 100 liked building roads and roads schemes will have been delivered by the end of the programme. “ bridges Looking ahead to Highways England’s next five-year funding period, RIS2, is set to we’re not wanting to take a few gambles, take be worth even more. It will be expected to a few risks,” he says. tackle future challenges such as the impact However, Highways England innovation of electric and autonomous vehicles. With director Paul Doney says the industry is plenty of work for the industry to get its shifting. The highways body lives by core teeth into, and huge benefits for road users, values, which put customers first. They are: the switch to a five year funding system for Jones: Road users must be consulted improving road safety; minimising delays; roads is viewed positively by those in the and causing as little disruption as possible sector. when delivering roadworks. And yet in October last year, 32 of the customer, he adds. Shires describes how “I joined Highways England 14 years schemes in the RIS1 were either brought in Dallas, Texas, one project took a novel ago,” says Doney. “We didn’t do anything forward or pushed back to avoid a glut of approach to customer satisfaction through for customers. We built roads and bridges projects coming to the market. In December, road pricing. because we liked building roads and bridges. Highways England chief executive Jim In late 2013 Dallas officials unveiled a It’s definitely shifting.” O’Sullivan told New Civil Engineer that 5.1km section of the LBJ Freeway toll lanes Highways England is putting more effort having too many projects on the go at once with the promise that motorists would pass into creating a better experience for road would stretch the supply chain and cause through at 50mph. If drivers had paid the toll users. For example, instead of warning disruption for motorists. but encountered traffic, forcing them to drive drivers of delays, it is trying to give an So how can the highways industry deliver below 35mph, they would get a refund. exact time until they reach the end of the the progress set out in RIS1 and expected for The system works through clever road roadworks on the overhead signage. Giving RIS2 while keeping road users on-side? Would pricing. When demand is low, the toll motorists more accurate journey times could better planning and more efficient delivery remains low; when demand is high, the cost lead to less stressful journeys. result in less disruption for the public? of using the road increases, deterring drivers Part of that shift towards customer focus As Transport Focus head of strategy Guy from joining the highway. is down to better customer engagement in Dangerfield says, it is important for engineers It is a system which puts customers first, the industry. Amey managing director for to remember what their work is for. but Shires wonders whether the highways highways James Haluch explains how using “It’s so easy in the process of building a industry in the UK is ready. social media allowed engineers to keep the bridge or resurfacing something or worrying “I just wonder if, as the highways sector, public informed during emergency repairs to about margins, to forget what the purpose of all this actually is,” he says. Tarmac commercial director Nick THE ROAD INVESTMENT STRATEGIES Shires agrees, explaining that highways professionals have a responsibility to create value for road users. l In 2015, the Highways Agency became Highways England has pledged to build “We are here to deliver something that Highways England and funding switched on its relationships with the supply makes a difference,” he says. Road projects from an annual programme to a five-year chain to encourage collaboration. It has should provide a better experience for the cycle already set up a cross-industry group l RIS1 covers 2015-2020 and includes with representatives from both Highways £15.2bn of work. It includes more than 100 England and its supply chain companies major projects which enhance, renew and l RIS2 will run from 2020-2025. Plans for I just wonder if, invest in the network what RIS2 will cover are currently out for as the highways l In 2015 the government said that RIS1 consultation. Highways England will publish would benefit 250,000 through noise its Strategic Business Plan for RIS2 in 2019 sector, we’re not wanting reduction measures, help prevent 2,500 l Highways England is working to reduce deaths through safety improvements and customer delays, although there is no set to take a few gambles, add around 2092km of extra lane capacity. target l For its 2017/18 delivery period, “take a few risks APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 45 Customer First Debate
It’s about creating DISCUSSION PARTICIPANTS the environment This report is based on a round table that allows innovation to discussion that took place in London in February. The participants were: prosper in a world that
Keith Bennett commercial director changes so quickly for highways, Amey “ Guy Dangerfield head of strategy, chained themselves to plant in an attempt to Transport Focus stop the project at a site, which had links to Paul Doney innovation director, pre-Roman settlements. Highways England Although the road was eventually Waud: Supply chain collaboration is vital Tony Gates managing director for completed in 1994, it became a symbol of infrastructure, civil engineering destructive engineering and was described in division, Sir Robert McAlpine Parliament in 1994 as “the most controversial Scotland’s Forth Bridge last year. James Haluch managing director for British motorway project ever to start The bridge was temporarily closed after highways, Amey construction.” deep cracks were discovered in the steel Mark Hansford editor, Several other controversial and superstructure. Using social media allowed New Civil Engineer environmentally insensitive road projects the team to explain the repairs to the public Tim Jones project director, were quietly cancelled as a result, and high in real time, reaping positive comments as a Highways England profi le transport body Campaign for Better result. George Lee chief executive, HTMA Transport was formed after the road was “Because it was a crisis, it bypassed all our Andrew Rowley national commercial completed. usual conservative processes with checking director, Tarmac The industry has moved on since Twyford what was put on, and empowered the teams Keith Scott Walton Bridge project Down, and not just with its focus on at the sharp end to actually explain what was manager, Surrey County Council customers. To deliver the RIS programmes going on but in real time,” he says. Tony Scutt highways customer effectively, the industry must continue its Engineers working on new road schemes director, Costain move towards closer collaboration across are also more aware of the need to engage Nick Shires commercial director, the supply chain. Atkins market director for with road users from the start. Highways Tarmac strategic highways Lesley Waud believes England project director Tim Jones Iain Sutherland highways operations that Highways England’s new procurement describes how a 2016 route consultation on director for the North & Midlands, strategy will make it easier for teams to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, the Balfour Beatty collaborate. 21km road tunnel from Kent to Essex which Lesley Waud market director for “You’ve got the opportunity to have an would relieve pressure on the congested strategic highways, Atkins integrated team with suppliers on board, Dartford Crossing, attracted more than that you can set out as a team without the 47,000 responses. Local people and road In association with barriers to being open and sharing and users all need to have their voices heard. everything else, and actually really come up “You have to ask their views as well. They with a solution,” she says. [road users] are as much part of a public This year Highways England is moving consultation as the local people,” says Jones. away from its Collaborative Delivery “Listen to them, and fi nd a way of actually Framework (CDF), a one-size-fi ts-all approach talking to them about what is it for them? to procurement. Instead, procurement will Why is it important?” be split into streams, with opportunities for Dangerfi eld agrees. “It sounds very simple all about making the time and being brave alliancing and rewards for positive behaviour and conceptually it is fairly simple. It is enough to ask people what they want. And built into contracts. allowing yourself the space to refl ect on Over the next few years, Highways England those things and potentially change it.” will be faced with modern challenges, and I think what we did Highway design has also become more it must be fl exible enough to react, argues sympathetic to its surroundings, argues Doney. “It’s about creating the environment to Twyford Down Jones. Engineers no longer ignore aesthetics that allows innovation to prosper in a world in their designs, which Jones believes has that changes so quickly,” he says. “Having was absolutely outrageous. stemmed from the M3 extension at Twyford the agility to react to things as they happen Down in Hampshire almost 30 years ago. is where we all want to be.” It is the worst piece of civil “I think what we did to Twyford Down was As Highways England looks ahead to a absolutely outrageous. It is the worst piece future with autonomous vehicles on the engineering I think I have of civil engineering I think I have ever seen in roads, innovation throughout the supply “ my life”, he says. chain will be key to delivering a better ever seen in my life In 1991, protesters camped out on site and experience for road users.
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ANTARCTICA ANTARCTIC STATION DESIGN CONTRACT
WSP Opus is to provide civil and structural engineering services for the redevelopment of the Scott Base in Antarctica. The existing research facility is reaching the end of its functional life and the team will develop four concept designs, before a preferred option is chosen. A detailed design will then be presented to the New Zealand Government at the end of the year. The New Zealand government is providing NZ$6.1M (£3.2M) for the detailed business case development. WSP bought Opus for £146M last year.
EUROPE IRELAND INDIA PLANS FOR £14.2BN MAJOR DUBLIN PLANNED HYPERLINK BETWEEN FINLAND ESTONIA METRO DESIGN MUMBAI AND PUNE TO HELP TUNNEL LAUNCHED CONTRACT AWARDED CREATE MEGA REGION IN INDIA
Initial technical details for a proposed A €14M (£12.4M) engineering design €16bn (£14.2bn), 103km long rail contract for the Dublin metro light rail tunnel connecting Finland to Estonia scheme has been awarded to a under the Gulf of Finland have been consortium comprising consultants released. The mega-project will run Jacobs and Idom.The Irish National between the capitals Tallinn and Transport Authority and Transport Helsinki at a maximum depth of 250m. Infrastructure Ireland have jointly It will pass through solid crystalline awarded the contract to develop the bedrock under the channel. Project engineering design for the £2.1bn New developer FinEst Link said two, 400m Metro North project. The consortium by 300m artifi cial islands, located at will seek planning approval for the places where the water is between project and bring the scheme forward India is a step closer to getting a hyperloop route after 15m and 20m deep, would be built to construction, as well as providing plans were revealed to construct a test track between to provide ventilation, access and supervisory services during the two major cities. The super-fast transport link would energy supplies to the tunnel. Under construction stage.The 17km light rail connect Mumbai, Navi Mumbai International Airport and the plans, tunnelling will start from system will stretch from the northern Pune in 25 minutes, a journey that takes more than three Helsinki using the drill and blast suburbs to the south of the city centre hours by train.It is part of a plan to create a “megaregion” method to the fi rst artifi cial island, with services connecting the Irish in the State of Maharashtra. Procurement will begin after Uppoluoto. From there, tunnel boring capital to Dublin Airport in 19 minutes an in-depth feasibility study to analyse the route and machines will be used. from 2027. defi ne the environmental impact.
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M6 1812 PENRITH N BROUGHAM OLD BRIDGE Built
A66 Grade II Eamont A626 Listed Bridge Redhills Brougham Castle RESCUE Yanwath A6 £1.15M River River THE COLLAPSED BRIDGE Lowther 1km Cost to rebuild Eamont
HYDRAULIC JACKS SUPPORTING STRUCTURE STABILISATION WORKS: PLAN ON NORTH PIER PACKAGE Cutwaters Parapet Engineers are working on a small but complex project to repair a flood damaged bridge pier 7 in Cumbria. Fiona McIntyre reports. 6 5 2 7 LEGO BLOCKS TO 1 3 SUPPORT AND CREATE TEMPORARY CUTWATER 4 ver seven days in encountered its share of challenges. Sheet piles December 2015, Surveying more than 1,600 assets Storm Desmond immediately after the floods, complex CROSS SECTION LOOKING SOUTH ON NORTH PIER broke UK rainfall procurement and changing supply records as it chain behaviours have all tested the Parapet 4 pummelled Cumbria programme’s core team. Cutwaters with more than 1.15trillion litres of But the biggest technical challenge Orainfall. has been the £1.15M project to save Flood defences designed to Grade II-listed Brougham Old Bridge withstand a one in 200 year event across the river Eden . 5 were overtopped and more than Built in 1812, the bridge sits 18,000 properties lost power, while adjacent to 13th century Brougham 2 7 the Army was drafted in to help Castle and is part of a popular cycle LOCAL PENRITH STONE USED residents trapped in their homes. and pedestrian route. 1 3 TO REPLACE DAMAGED SECTION As the initial chaos subsided, the On 15 December 2015 an initial scale of the damage to the county’s survey showed there had been River bed North abutment ISOLATING THE SITE infrastructure became clear. Main significant scour damage to the three Interlocking sheet piles driven into sandstone bedrock (3-4m depth) 3m roads, like the A591, had been half span bridge. On its the north side one 8 Operative 8m Laterally undercut area of pier washed away and many historic of the two cutwaters at either end of exclusion zone 6m bridges had crumbled into swollen the central span had been destroyed. North rivers. More than 2,000 businesses were The cutwaters are sharp pointed (damaged) pier affected, as Cumbria’s connectivity masonry noses on the front of the Sandstone bedrock COLLAPSED Downstream was severely compromised, costing piers. The collapse of the cutwater ARCH BARREL cofferdam the county’s tourism-based economy left a gaping hole revealing serious 1 Underwater concrete 5 Place precast ‘lego blocks’ as semi-permanent (permanent) shutter to half the height of the pier Upstream around £500M. cofferdam South pier t 2 Shuttered concrete 6 Fill core with concrete o n Since early 2016, 452 of Cumbria E a m (permanent) R i v e r County Council’s assets, including 7 Round off square front with ‘lego blocks’/grout bags Cofferdams 3 278 bridges, have been painstakingly 3 Remove cutwater debris and place and/or dumpy bags to create temporary cutwater Dumpy bags 1m Brougham underwater concrete (permanent) (18kN each) Old Bridge repaired, under the local authority’s We were very 8 Sheet piling 3m
innovative £123.6M Infrastructure 4 Remove centre span parapet 2m for safe working South abutment Recovery Programme (see box) . concerned from Upstream Downstream The programme, managed with a structural stability partner Mott MacDonald, is due to finish in August 2019. It has point of view 50 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 “ BROUGHAM OLD BRIDGE COLLAPSE
M6 1812 PENRITH N BROUGHAM OLD BRIDGE Built
A66 Grade II Eamont A626 Listed Bridge Redhills Brougham Castle Yanwath A6 £1.15M River River THE COLLAPSED BRIDGE Lowther 1km Cost to rebuild Eamont
HYDRAULIC JACKS SUPPORTING STRUCTURE STABILISATION WORKS: PLAN ON NORTH PIER
Cutwaters Parapet The cutwater is set around the pumped concrete pier repair
7 damage to the foundations. engineers scrutinised the bridge When the cutwater collapsed, it but were unable to prove it was in a 6 5 had taken part of the central arch safe enough condition for work to be span with it. A section of the spandrel allowed to start. 2 7 face had also fallen into the river. Meanwhile, the bridge was edging LEGO BLOCKS TO “It left the parapet sort of spanning closer to a full scale collapse. 1 3 SUPPORT AND CREATE TEMPORARY over a gap, so when we initially “We could gradually see that there CUTWATER looked at it we were very concerned was more and more material being 4 from a structural stability point of lost from the pier and some being Sheet piles view,” says Mott MacDonald project lost from the arch barrel,” explains lead Craig Mitchell. Mitchell. CROSS SECTION LOOKING SOUTH ON NORTH PIER The bridge was closed immediately “We knew at some stage it would and the team set about working out go, so it was almost a race against whether the historic bridge could be time to understand: was it safe Parapet 4 Cutwaters saved. But before any progress could enough at that stage to get in there be made, a puzzle had to be solved – and do the works before it actually why had the whole of Brougham Old did collapse?” Bridge not collapsed? Eventually engineers at consultant “We really struggled at first to Curtins were able to provide an 5 understand why it was still stood up, answer. Using a thrust line analysis, 2 7 which is an issue because unless we Curtins proved that the force from LOCAL PENRITH STONE USED could understand the structure and the arches was still being safely 1 3 TO REPLACE DAMAGED SECTION how it’s safe, we couldn’t get people transferred through the remaining close enough to work on it,” explains part of the pier. A method of work River Mitchell. was devised which showed how the bed North abutment ISOLATING THE SITE Interlocking sheet piles driven into Engineers were perplexed. reconstruction could be delivered sandstone bedrock (3-4m depth) 3m 8 Operative Although a third of the pier behind safely. 8m Laterally undercut area of pier exclusion zone 6m the collapsed breakwater had Once Mitchell and his team were North been lost, most of the central arch confident the structure could be (damaged) pier remained and Mitchell wanted saved, stabilisation work commenced. Sandstone bedrock evidence that the load from the arch Over two months from September COLLAPSED Downstream ARCH BARREL cofferdam was being safely transferred into to November 2016, local contractor 1 Underwater concrete 5 Place precast ‘lego blocks’ as semi-permanent the ground. Over several months Metcalfe Plant Hire carried out the (permanent) shutter to half the height of the pier Upstream vital works. cofferdam South pier t 2 Shuttered concrete 6 Fill core with concrete o n E a m Firstly, a cofferdam was built (permanent) R i v e r 7 Round off square front with ‘lego blocks’/grout bags around the base of the collapsed pier Cofferdams 3 3 Remove cutwater debris and place and/or dumpy bags to create temporary cutwater Dumpy bags 1m Brougham to keep the area dry and free of fresh underwater concrete (permanent) (18kN each) Old Bridge 8 Sheet piling We really silt from the river. Concrete was then 3m 2 4 Remove centre span parapet 2m pumped into the 80m hole. for safe working South abutment struggled at first Once the team had pumped the Upstream Downstream to understand why it concrete under the pier, engineers were more confident about the was still stood up bridge’s stability. Construction “ APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 51 Tech Excellence Brougham Old Bridge Repairs
We found a The new cutwater in place at the record from centre of the repaired bridge 1890 that showed the same issue had “occurred workers moved closer, to a distance of roughly 5m away, and used a long reach excavator to pick off the overhanging masonry parapet block by block. The stone was then stored to be reused later in reconstruction. The initial stabilisation finished after a series of concrete blocks were used to build a temporary cutwater, slotted into the gap left by the pier. Monitors were dotted around the structure and programmed to send a warning to team members’ mobile phones if movement was detected. At this point, the team left the bridge for the winter, satisfied it would not collapse. Away from site, conversations with Historic England were informing designs for reconstruction work. As the bridge is a listed structure it was important to deliver a like-for-like replacement of the lost cutwater and CUMBRIA’S RECOVERY PROGRAMME parapet masonry. Before the reconstruction could start, however, a surprising discovery “What we’d never Those 1,234 individual post-flood events. A crane on had to be tackled. experienced, even in the assets have been bundled the side of the vehicle allows “When we looked back through historic records going back to into packages of work, to inspections to be carried out historic records, we found a record the 1800s, is a county-wide make procurement easier. So where it is too dangerous to put from 1890 that showed the same issue flood event,” says Cumbria far, more than 70% of the a diver in the fast-moving flood had occurred and that a cutwater County Council assistant contracts have been awarded waters. had fallen away previously,” explains director for highways, transport to local suppliers, meaning The Department for Mitchell. “That allowed us to do a bit and fleet Stephen Hall. the economic benefits of the Transport (DfT) has given of site investigation and understand “It’s absolutely fair to say we programme are felt in Cumbria. the Infrastructure Recovery that the actual root cause of the didn’t have a response plan for Two years into the Programme team £500,000 to problem was a very soft material such a widespread and such a programme and 452 repair jobs develop the technology further, underneath that single pier.” significant flood event.” have been completed so far, working with surveyors Gaist. On the other side of the central The council teamed up with with 409 in progress and 373 Trials are being carried span, the sandstone bedrock runs programme partner Mott still to do. out, and if successful, the higher, so the right-hand pier which MacDonald for the £123.6M But the IRP is not just about technology could be rolled out was founded on it was much less infrastructure recovery repair works. A quirky new across local authority areas susceptible to scour during the programme set up after Storm invention has come out of the affected by flood events. floods. By contrast the collapsed Desmond to rebuild the programme, a sonar system The programme also taught cutwater had been resting on a 1.5m county’s assets. Around 1,600 called BridgeCat. the council how to procure to 2m thick layer of dense sand and early surveys identified 1,234 BridgeCat was created by work quickly after a flood very weathered sandstone bedrock repair schemes, comprising retrofitting a Unimog vehicle event, and this is being shared which was easily washed away. 174 highway jobs, 754 bridge with high-definition cameras with the DfT. It will share this To fix the underlying problem the repairs and 306 major civils and sonar equipment to do with other local authorities who team had to strengthen the ground. projects. rapid bridge inspections experience serious flooding. Drilling down through the damaged
52 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Compact
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We wanted to have the POOLEY BRIDGE masonry there, cut and ready to slot in place “Three different options were created and popular aspects combined” “part of the bridge, once it was supported with mass concrete, grout was injected into the soft material to Grade II listed Pooley Bridge into the Lake District, making less construction has to be create a more durable foundation. collapsed as a result of damage the replacement scheme squeezed into the 75 day, June “Hopefully in 100 years’ time there sustained during Storm particularly high-profile. to September window, when won’t be someone else sat here telling Desmond. Knights Architects Three different options were work is allowed to take place people about how the cutwater fell has designed a replacement created for public consultation, in Cumbria rivers. As there down. We hope we’ve dealt with that which has been dubbed and the most popular aspects is limited space at the site issue permanently,” says Mitchell. the “jewel in the crown” of of those schemes have been the steel frame will be pre- Once the foundation had been Cumbria’s infrastructure combined in the final design. assembled and slotted in by strengthened, work to reconstruct recovery programme. The draft design is for a crane in two sections, with the the damaged central arch began. single arched bridge with open concrete deck poured on top. A temporary support system was As the 18th century bridge had spandrels and additional lattice “We’re very constrained installed using hydraulic jacks to been completely destroyed, detail in the spandrel voids. down there so we’re already push it into the shape of the arches. the recovery programme team It is proposed as a composite thinking about how we’re going A laser survey was then carried out was free to come up with structure, with a stainless steel to build the bridge,” explains to identify exactly what replacement a completely new design. frame and a concrete deck. Mitchell. stones were needed. Work is at an early stage but Initially local people were Where possible, materials “It’s quite an interesting approach the bridge is expected to be sceptical, believing their from the old bridge will be to doing it,” says Mitchell. “A lot completed later this year. consultation responses would used in the new one. “It’s a of people were interested in the Getting it right in the eyes not be taken seriously. But bit of a step away from what technical side of those works.” of local people is the main hearts and minds have been the old structure was, but Local Penrith sandstone, the same challenge for the scheme, won through listening to the well received. I think it’s seen material used for the existing bridge, as the original bridge was community’s concerns and as being a bit of a statement was pre-cut off-site to save time. admired by the community and incorporating them in the design. structure,” says Mitchell. Environmental constraints dictate holiday-makers. It also forms The single span reduces A design and build that water-based works in the one of the main gateways in-river working, meaning contractor is being procured. Cumbrian rivers be carried out over 75 days from June to September. “We wanted to have the masonry Initial design for the new Pooley Bridge there, cut and ready to slot in place, a bit like a jigsaw type of approach,” explains Mitchell. “We didn’t have time to be messing around cutting bits of stone on site.” Through meticulous reconstruction and resilience-boosting engineering, the bridge was restored to its loading capacity of 17.5t and on 13 December 2017 reopened to the public. Although the most technically challenging project in the infrastructure replacement programme, Brougham Old Bridge’s restoration is just one of 1,234 individual schemes in the programme. By July 2019, 754 bridges will have been repaired or rebuilt across the county – including the programme’s “jewel in the crown”, Pooley Bridge (see box). N
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Expressions of interest in the tender are to be registered at https://etendering.thecrownestate.co.uk/web/login.shtml from 12 noon on Monday 19 March 2018 until 12 noon on Monday 16 April 2018. While you are enjoying this informative issue of New Civil Engineer, your colleagues aren’t and that doesn’t seem fair to us. To help your team keep It is anticipated that an invitation to tender will be issued up-to-date with the latest developments, best practice and thought-provoking opinion in the construction industry, contact us today: during the week commencing Monday 30 April 2018 with Telephone: +44 (0) 203 033 2948 bids to be returned by 8 June 2018 and award to be made Email: [email protected] in July 2018. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Tech Showcase NEWTON WATERPROOFING SEAMLESS SEAL Newton Waterproofing created a bespoke solution for an east London basement
ed up with renting in London, design engineer Joe Stuart and service designer Lina Nilsson decided to build their own home on a tiny, 38m2 plot in east London. With a budget of just Funder £200k, they set about delivering Stuart’s innovative concept for a six half-floor house with floating concrete slab, designed to maximise the space into a small 83m2 home, while being filmed by Channel 4’s “Grand Designs” programme.
THE CHALLENGE The basement Within weeks of the project beginning slab rests on a in October 2015, rogue contractors series of brackets had performed a disastrous basement excavation attempt contrary to the structural engineer’s instructions, leaving unsupported banks of earth exactly what was required, modelled designed by Stuart and his structural falling in beneath the street and the entire project in 4D to ensure that engineer, insulating it from the external shutters bursting inwards under the KEY STATS all potential difficulties were resolved walls by ensuring minimal contact, and weight of the concrete. This first before work began. only making contact through insulated attempt, described as “spectacularly With the right lines of blocks with enough compressive shambolic” by Grand Designs presenter £250,00 communication in place, work strength to take the vertical loading. The Kevin McCloud, more than doubled the Cost of the recommenced in late January 2016, design also created a cavity around the cost of the excavation from £48k to with the first challenge being to make slab that can be fully insulated, allowing £100k, and caused months of delays. project after safe a 3.5m high bank of unsupported it to be used as a thermal mass inside including earth with sheet piles, before creating a the building without having to insulate THE SOLUTION remediations new and waterproof reinforced concrete the entire external envelope. Having already contacted Newton structural shell. Working closely with Stuart, Newton Waterproofing Systems to consult for poor devised a solution that provided on the poor workmanship, Stuart and workmanship INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING waterproofing continuity behind the Newton soon determined that if he With the shell of the structure in brackets without compromising the were to save his home and get it out of place, Newton and MJ Rooney’s next structural design. the ground, he would need a specialist 83m2 challenge was to create a bespoke contractor to actively communicate, Amount of waterproofing solution to accommodate COMPLETING THE GRAND DESIGN collaborate and listen to him as the Stuart’s ingenious design for a With a pristine below ground and engineer and the client. floor space in suspended reinforced slab that acted as waterproof concrete structure in place, MJ Rooney Construction came on the house a floor and a prop to resist the lateral complete with floating slab, MJ Rooney board as contractors in November 2015, pressure from the basement walls. and Newton handed the site over to the and following discussions to determine This entire slab rested on brackets next stage in June 2016.
56 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 ARE YOU A
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PROFESSION ICE hosts engineering cities discussion Event covers social exclusion, cities at night and cities for women, bringing engineers face to face with infrastructure users.
ICE’s thought leadership whether policymakers and programme ICE Thinks last the infrastructure sector had month hosted a discussion overlooked social sustainability about the role of engineers in by focusing too heavily on the creating inclusive cities. environment and economics It brought together with resulting social exclusion Discussions covered different engineers, designers, artists, because of age, race, class, factors affecting city design choreographers, government gender and ability. officials, academics and UCL City Leadership Lab charities. deputy director Ellie Cosgrave day life. difficulties faced by night “What is the city but the chaired the Feminist City panel London mayor Sadiq Khan’s workers; barriers to disabled people? The role of the engineer session. She asked engineers Night Czar Amy Lamé hosted people participating in London’s in creating inclusive cities” was to consider the social impact a panel discussion on the “The nightlife and night time safety. a day of panel discussions and of civil engineering design City at Night”, looking at the way Workshops also took place practical workshops, bringing decisions. The panel discussed we can engineer our cities to in parallel, examining the engineers face to face with the need for greater awareness meet the different challenges of experience of people who are their customers. Delegates among engineers of the impact the night time economy. Issues disabled, blind or partially were asked to consider of their work on people’s day-to- debated included commuting sighted, with speakers including
ICE ICE 200 ICE ICE New video promotes Scottish politicians Learning Hub ICE HQ is BBC civil engineering back ICE 200 gains VisitEngland ‘Question Time’ careers to the young campaign tourism accolade location
A new educational film to inspire The ICE 200 People and VisitEngland has awarded a The ICE headquarters at young people to consider a Projects campaign has “Hidden Gem” accolade to the One Great George Street in career in civil engineering is attracted the support of the ICE’s Infrastructure Learning London was due to host an now available at the ICE’s Scottish Parliament. Following Hub (ILH). ICE engineering episode of BBC’s “Question What is Civil Engineering? the ICE’s announcement that knowledge director Nathan Time” television programme online portal. Aimed at 11 to the Falkirk Wheel is one of Baker said: “We’re proud to as New Civil Engineer went 16 year olds, the film takes the the its 200 most influential bring civil engineering to life to press earlier this month. viewer on a journey through projects, Angus MacDonald at the ILH, not only providing The programme was due the world of civil engineering. MSP tabled a motion in the a rich educational experience to be presented by David The young narrator explores Scottish Parliament welcoming but a fun and memorable one Dimbleby before an audience how civil engineers make and supporting its inclusion. for visitors of all ages. To go of members of the public. The everyday life possible, The motion recognised that from being under refurbishment Question Time episode will from building awe-inspiring the projects show how civil to VisitEngland’s designated be available to watch on BBC structures to providing clean engineering has shaped the hidden gem in only two years is iPlayer. Previously, One Great drinking water. The film can be world and transformed a testament to the staff team’s George Street has appeared on found at https://www.ice.org.uk/ people’s lives for the better. dedicated efforts.” The ILH is MasterChef: the Professionals, what-is-civil-engineering and on The motion was signed by 12 currently hosting the Invisible hosting a special bicentenary ICE’s YouTube channel. other MSPs. Superheroes exhibition. dinner for the ICE.
60 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 MORE ICE NEWS GO TO NEWCIVILENGINEER.COM/ICE
NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE & HUMBER VIEW POWERING UP THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE
Last year, the ICE’s A coherent transport three northern regions came network would do much together to produce recommendations to improve economic prosperity for the North in our Vicki Austin from the Disability document Delivering a in the North Innovation Hub and Jenny Cook Penny Northern Infrastructure from Guide Dogs. Marshall Strategy. This across the North is necessary to guide and Illustrator Chris Ship February, we took our “coordinate infrastructure development to create captured a visual summary recommendations balanced growth and increase productivity. But of the sessions and attendees to the heart of we have been talking about this for many years. were encouraged to write their government at a reception for MPs, ICE members What we need is action. thoughts on an interactive and industry guests in Portcullis House. We used The ICE suggests that coordination should board. the opportunity to reinforce our message that take the form of a Council for the North: bringing we must unlock the economic potential of the together senior decision makers from across North of England through the provision of 21st the regions to develop a spatial plan, agree an century infrastructure. infrastructure strategy and provide strategic Effective infrastructure supports thriving, direction for the North. PASS LISTS, BYLAW 15 sustainable societies, and local communities To deliver the plan, the North needs the power have the best understanding of their own to fund growth through revenue-raising and As New Civil Engineer is now transport, energy, housing and utility needs. borrowing. It needs to be in a position where published monthly, the names Giving the North the power to take control of its industry has the confidence to attract private of candidates recently awarded a development remains fundamental to ensuring we investment. It needs the support of successive professional qualification with ICE close the productivity and skills gap with the rest of central governments willing to commit to and will only be published online at the UK. But we need an overarching plan and a single maintain long-term development. www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/ voice to ensure that our messages are heard. All of this is affordable and achievable. icenews. They will no longer be A coherent transport network would do much Transport for the North believes an additional published in the print edition. to improve economic prosperity in the North. investment, equivalent to only £50 per person
While the arrival of High Speed 2 in Manchester per year until 2030 has the potential to deliver The pass lists will also be published and Leeds will improve some north-south 800,000 new jobs and generate £100bn in on ICE’s website, along with the journey times, agglomeration benefits will only additional growth. names of all candidates applying be delivered when intercity trips within the By linking up centres of manufacturing, for professionally qualified North are comparable with similar journeys in unlocking renewable energy potential and putting membership (Bylaw 15). Both the South East. The 72km trip from Manchester cities at the forefront of new technologies such as can be viewed at www.ice.org.uk/ to Leeds can still take more than 90 minutes autonomous vehicles, opportunities can be built, bylaw15 under “newest qualified by rail, whereas the 64km from Stevenage or lives can be improved and prosperity increased. member”. Lists will remain on the Reading to London can be covered in less than But this is not just about the North. Unlocking site for 28 days. To view lists on half an hour. As a result, northern cities end up the potential of the North is key to improving the the New Civil Engineer website, competing with one another, rather than working prosperity of the UK as a whole. visit www.newcivilengineer.com/ together as components of a successful North. l Penny Marshall, is ICE regional director, North latest/icenews A joined up approach to spatial planning East and Yorkshire & Humber
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 61 Institution of Civil Engineers Record
EVENTS Debaters discussed water Invisible supply goals Superheroes head for Big Bang fair
The ICE’s Invisible Superheroes will appear at this year’s Big Bang young scientists and engineers fair in Birmingham between 14 and 17 March. Big Bang is the largest educational event of its kind in the UK. The Invisible Superheroes are cartoon characters created as part of the ICE’s bicentennial celebrations. They are based on real-life civil engineers from the last 200 years. The ICE will take elements SUSTAINABILITY from the Invisible Superheroes exhibition at One Great George Street and will host an Invisible Superheroes-themed stand. ICE hosts UN Sustainable There will also be a cantilever bridge construction activity to connect communities; a Development Goals debate “Fight the Flood” water activity; and a “Propping Up Pisa” In early March, the ICE was and energy David Riley, , Mott Here, the ICE showcased what activity, which explores ground once again a strategic partner at MacDonald global sustainability the industry is doing to help The current ICE Council engineering and foundations. Ecobuild, the largest UK event leader Davide Stronati, and ICE achieve the five UNSDGs where The activities are designed for the built environment. energy expert panel member civil engineers can make the to raise awareness of civil It supported this year’s theme Philip Pascall. most impact. They are: The current ICE Council engineers’ work and to encourage of delivering the United Nations The session addressed two of ● provision of clean water and young people to consider the Sustainable Development Goals the UNSDGs – providing clean sanitation career opportunities in civil (UNSDGs). water and sanitation to all; and ● provision of affordable and engineering. Morrish Consulting Hosting a dedicated provision of affordable and clean energy Engineers structural engineering “Infrastructure District” stand, clean energy to all. It was noted ● development of resilient technician Lloyd Clough, the ICE offered a forum for built that water and energy resilience sustainable infrastructure while who currently features as the environment professionals is a global challenge and not fostering innovation superhero ‘Super Structures’ in to hear about issues facing just a problem for developing ● development of sustainable the London exhibition, will also the industry, how to tackle countries. cities and communities be on the ICE stand to share his them, and the opportunities of Panel members shared their ● and climate action to reduce real-life experiences. working toward achieving the thoughts on water shortage as the impact of climate change. UNSDGs. a worldwide phenomenon and Panel discussions explored The ICE led part of the critical issue, and discussed themes including the future main Ecobuild conference how reducing carbon emissions of drainage, integration of programme, and ICE director of will affect energy sources and digital working processes, UK engineering knowledge Nathan energy use. productivity performance, Baker chaired a panel discussion At the Infrastructure District, transforming the engineering entitled “Decarbonising water the ICE led its own three day of cities, and the importance and energy – a global urgency”. programme with over 18 hours of adopting sustainable Panel speakers included of thought leadership, expert approaches to deal with climate Big Bang: Targeting children Anglian Water head of carbon presentations and debate. change.
62 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Institution of Civil Engineers Record
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EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Email: [email protected] Editor | Mark Hansford REACHING OUT (020) 3953 2821 mark.hansford Deputy Editor | Alexandra Wynne (020) 3953 2822 alexandra.wynne Associate Editor | Emily Ashwell (020) 3953 2094 emily.ashwell Technical Reporter | Katherine Smale ACROSS THE NATION (020) 3953 2044 katherine.smale Technical Reporter | Fiona McIntyre (020) 3953 2870 fi ona.mcintyre News Reporter | Jess Clark (020) 3953 2876 jess.clark Chief Sub Editor | Andy Bolton The Invisible (020) 3953 2823 | andy.bolton Superheroes have The numbers studying Technical Editor Emeritus | Dave Parker been capturing the dave.parker imaginations of mechanical engineering MARKETING SOLUTIONS visitors to our London exhibition. But it is have grown, while those for Head of Sales | Francis Barham not enough to sit back (020) 3953 2912 | Francis.barham John and expect people to civil engineering are stalling ONLINE ACCESS ENQUIRIES come to us. Instead, Laverty Email: [email protected] we’re sending the other events. Superheroes on a “This activity complements the other public EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD mission to take ICE 200 to the world, spreading engagement work taking place for ICE 200, Rachel Skinner (chair), Bill Grose, Alan the message far and wide that civil engineers including Pitch 200, Explore Engineering, Café Clucas, Andrew Mylius, Martin Knights, directly transform people’s lives and safeguard 200 and the People’s Choice Awards. Mike Napier, Miles Ashley, Rob Naybour, the future for their families. As engineers, we should be using our Tim Chapman, Tony Gates, Zakiyya Adam, Aimi Elias, John Dillon, David Caiden, Fay This month, they are fl ying to the Big Bang Fair analytical skills as well as our passion. With 10M Bull, Sophie McPhilips, Stephen Wells, to show that civil engineering is a rewarding and school children and 27,000 schools in the UK, no Jennifer Cooke, Simon Creer creative career. Our superheroes-themed stand, one organisation can solve the skills challenge complete with volunteer ICE members in masks alone. We need to do our bit alongside the wider Magazine of the and capes, offers fun activities which blend engineering community, particularly Tomorrow’s Institution of Civil Engineers hands on challenges with technology used in an Engineers and the Year of Engineering campaign. 1 Great George Street, London SW1P imaginative way. We also need to be clear about the real 3AA 020 7222 7722 | www.ice.org.uk Young people, parents and teachers get to challenges we face. While the number of civil ICE MEMBERS’ ADDRESS experience fi rst-hand the creativity and drama engineering graduates has doubled in a decade, CHANGES/ SUBSCRIPTIONS of civil engineering. They will be challenged to the numbers studying mechanical engineering QUERIES balance a bridge or risk its collapse; the fate of have grown year on year while those for www.ice.org.uk/myice to update your “Civil City” is in their hands. They will also have civil engineering are stalling. As this year’s address quickly online. For subscription the opportunity to speak to real technicians and EngineeringUK: State of Engineering report has queries, please phone 020 7665 engineers to gain their insights and advice. found, demand for civil engineers will only 2227, or email [email protected] We are grateful to the many members and increase with the digital transformation of SUBSCRIPTIONS employers who support the stand. It is a real infrastructure, but we face an uncertain future For subscription queries contact; team effort and our success and effectiveness is in recruitment. The ICE will be focusing on ways dsb.net Ltd, 3 Queensbridge, Northampton NN4 7BF dependent on them. There is no better way to to infl uence 16 to 18 year olds this year to make Telephone: 01604 828 705 get young people interested in a career in civil sure civil engineering is not overlooked when All rights reserved © 2018 New Civil Engineer. engineering than to hear from the professionals young people make their post-school choices. Published by EMAP Publishing Ltd; who are making a difference through their work. So let us use our heads and hearts to inspire Printed by Precision Colour Printing Ltd, Telford. Registered as a newspaper with the We need to share this passion all the time and the next generation of engineers and technicians. Post Offi ce ISSN 0307-7683; Issue No: 2060 everywhere so the Invisible Superheroes will If you think you could play a role and want to Statements made or opinions expressed in New make more than a few appearances around the fi nd out more, please get in touch. Civil Engineer do not necessarily refl ect the views of ICE Council or ICE committees UK this year – at Big Bang Near Me fairs, Belfast lJohn Laverty is ICE head of Airport, the Great North Exhibition and many education and inspiration
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 63 6 DECEMBER 2018 | GRANGE TOWER BRIDGE HOTEL THE TUNNELLING EVENTS YOU LOVE ARE NOW AN EXCITING FULL DAY FESTIVAL!
After over a decade of successful events, ENTRY AND TABLE ENQUIRIES we have decided that now is the time for Jack Procter Tunnelling to become even bigger and [email protected] better than ever before. 020 3953 2093 In 2018 you will experience the Tunnelling Festival, a new and exciting whole day event which will provide a fresh and SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES interactive opportunity for the industry to Roland Maybank come together to network, share learnings [email protected] and celebrate excellence in tunnelling and 020 3953 2911 underground space.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of it. ENTER NOW AT tunnelling.newcivilengineer.com
Sponsors
Classified CONTACT EMMA PHILLIPS 020 3953 2221 [email protected]
COURSES
In collaboration with
Training Courses
Post Tensioning Design & Construction Sheet Piling & Cofferdams - Construction Heathrow: 22 Mar; Belfast: 20 Apr & Hands‐on Workshop Design of Retaining Walls to EC7 Bristol: 2 May; Glasgow: 5 Jul; Cardiff: 25 Jul 23 ‐ 25 April 2018 Presented by Dr. Bijan O. Aalami and Dr. Florian Aalami Ground Investigation 1 – Ground Investigation Report Belfast: 21 Jun; Heathrow: 10 Oct
Would you like to update your knowledge on the latest NEC4 - Introduction developments in construction technology? Are you Manchester: 27 Mar; Belfast: 3 May; Heathrow: 23 May; Bristol: 26 Jun
interested in the economics of post tensioning, design Commercial Appreciation procedures and software? Bristol: 6 Jun; Glasgow: 22 Nov
If so, register for this course and learn about the tools Environmental needed for efficient, economical and serviceable designs. Land Drainage Law for Non Legal Professionals Cardiff: 21 Mar; Manchester: 9 May Early booking discounts apply. SuDS – Engineering Aspects: Introduction Contact: Kathryn Gresty | CPD Birmingham: 19 Apr; Bristol: 20 Jun
e: [email protected] | t: +44 (0)20 7594 6882 Drainage Design (Foul & Surface Water) Glasgow: 19 Apr; Manchester: 11 Jul; Cardiff: 19 Sep; Belfast: 11 Oct or register at: www.imperial.ac.uk/cpd/tension
@ImperialCPD Health, Safety & Welfare Role of the Temporary Works Coordinator/Supervisor Cardiff: 16 Mar; Manchester: 21 Mar, Heathrow: 4 Jul
CDM Regs 2015 Overview for Designers Glasgow: 21 Mar; Cardiff: 11 Jul; Manchester: 10 Oct GEOTECHNICAL TESTING & INVESTIGATION Regulations & Codes (ICE Attribute No 6) Glasgow: 23 Mar; Bristol: 12 July
Site & General Safety (ICE Attribute No 6) Geotechnical MATERIALS Bristol: 3 Apr; Glasgow: 13 Sep investiGation & CONSULTANCY desiGn, RadaR & UKAS-ACCREDITED otheR Geophysical LABORATORIES seRvices STRUCTURAL CDM Regs & Compliance – 2015 Overview GeoenviRonmental INVESTIGATION & Heathrow: 12 Apr; Bristol: 4 Jul; Glasgow: 8 Nov assessment TESTING UKas-accRedited ROPE ACCESS & laboRatoRies CONFINED SPACE Remediation SERVICES seRvices EXPERT WITNESS Highways SERVICES Tel: 01442 437500 (Endorsed by CIHT & IHE for CPD)
www.rsk.co.uk www.rsk.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 01442 416673 Bills of Quantities for Highway Works Birmingham: 21 Mar; Glasgow: 14 Jun
Maintaining Road Surfaces – Absolute Essentials Heathrow: 10 Apr
Highway Law in Development Management Cardiff: 11 April
TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF Pavement Design using the DMRB Glasgow: 12 Apr
NEW CIVIL ENGINEER Highway Drainage Design - Overview Bristol: 18 Apr; Glasgow: 2 May PLEASE CONTACT EMMA PHILLIPS ON 020 3953 2221 01446 775959/[email protected] www.symmonsmadge.co.uk
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 65 Careers CONTACT EMMA PHILLIPS 020 3953 2221 [email protected]
A career built on NHBC Standards Welcoming Diversity Senior Geotechnical Engineer Why NHBC? Home based Midlands area £41,500 - £46,000 Our purpose is to work with the house building industry to raise the standards of new homes and provide protection for homeowners. Homes are at the heart of all our lives and our Everyone wants a great place to live in – and here’s your opportunity to play a key role in making sure people employees are proud to be making a difference get exactly that. There is certainly plenty of variety: you’ll be giving expert technical advice and carrying out to improving the standards of house building assessments, as well as reviewing foundation and substructure designs on sites with complex geotechnical in the UK. Being an independent non-profit issues. On top of that, you will assist builders, provide site support, undertake forensic investigations, distributing company with no shareholders enables us to focus on our mission. NHBC is the identify defects, liaise with customers, deliver consultancy services and much more. home warranty provider of choice, we currently insure over 1.6m homes, with a market share of Working from home, you can also look forward to Benefits: approximately 80%. real flexibility, plus an excellent work/life balance. You will n £41,500 - £46,000 depending on experience enjoy a high level of responsibility as well as autonomy but and including remote worker allowance. The UK continues to see an increase in the number of new homes being built and the with the full support of a dedicated management network. n Up to 6% bonus. opportunities here are immense. Join us n Company car. As a Chartered Professional (MICE, MIStructE, CGeol, and we’ll offer constant challenge and ample n 25 days pa annual leave with additional days for Chartered Geologist), you should bring substantial scope to build a career in a refreshingly open, long service. construction industry experience and a knowledge of the inspiring and friendly environment. n Pension scheme accredited to Pension Mark Plus housing and commercial sectors. An in-depth understanding standards (up to 10.5% of salary employer contribution) NHBC is committed to the promotion of equal of geotechnical assessment and substructure and foundation opportunities. We are a corporate signatory with life assurance of 4 x salary. design is essential, together with first-rate communication to WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) n Partially funded private medical insurance. and presentation skills. and the Women in Finance Charter. We value n Tax efficient childcare vouchers and cycle diversity, understand our inclusive culture This role is home based and due to the nature of the role, a purchase scheme. helps our business maintain its competitive full UK driving licence is essential. n High street discounts and preferential gym rates. advantage and aim to attract more people from n Employee assistance programme. diverse backgrounds to complement our team.
Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate
For further information and Closing date: Interviews will be held: to apply online, please visit: 30th March 2018 April 2018 www.nhbc-careers.co.uk
Take up the challenge of working in the East Riding of Yorkshire... ARE YOU PART OF A TEAM?
a hidden gem and one of England’s largest counties - its diversity means no working day is the same! We have exciting times ahead within our civil engineering service with increased levels of investment creating a wide range of projects to work on. Our significant capital programme of major infrastructure works includes flood alleviation schemes, highways and transport schemes and a range of other engineering and construction schemes. Join our award winning civil engineering service - nationally recognised for the quality of its innovative and sustainable schemes. We are looking for:
• Principal Engineer HOW TO APPLY Find out more at • Senior Engineer/Project Manager eastriding.gov.uk/ featured-jobs/ • Engineer/Project Manager x 5 civil-engineering- While you are enjoying this informative issue of New Civil Engineer, vacancies/ • Assistant Engineer x 3 your colleagues aren’t and that doesn’t seem fair to us. To help your team keep Closing date: up-to-date with the latest developments, best practice and thought-provoking • Construction Assistant x 2 22 April 2018 opinion in the construction industry, contact us today: Telephone: +44 (0) 203 033 2948 Email: [email protected]
66 NEW CIVIL ENGINEER | APRIL 2018 Careers CONTACT EMMA PHILLIPS 020 3953 2221 [email protected]
Rendel est. 1838 UK Engineering Opportunities
We are a growing specialist civil and structural engineering consultancy, with a strong tradition of bringing our expertise to prestigious and technically-challenging projects around the world. Our team is currently working on the design of major infrastructure schemes including the Ports & Maritime Bridges HS2 C1 Colne Valley Viaduct, Thames Tideway and Al Zour Refinery in Kuwait. We would like to hear from engineers at all levels across the following disciplines: • Bridges • Geotechnical • Structural • Highways • Rail • 3D CAD Applications are now invited for Graduate Engineers on our ICE accredited training scheme. We are also looking for applications for our Engineering and CAD apprenticeships.
Highways Tunnels We want to hear from you if you would like to join a diverse, friendly and resourceful team and work on interesting and challenging design projects in the UK and internationally. We are based in a vibrant quarter of central London. Rendel is part of the Ingérop group, a French independent engineering company with 1,700 staff working in more than 70 countries. Further details about these vacancies and how to apply can be found on our website.
Geotechnical Rail Agency applications will not be accepted. Rendel is an equal opportunities employer. [email protected] 200 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YB www.rendel-ltd.com
Creating what matters for future generations
We are driven to make the world around us work better. You see it in the things we made yesterday, the projects we manage across the globe today, and our vision for making a better world tomorrow.
We are recruiting civil, structural and geotechnical engineers to join our award-winning teams across the UK. Help us to leave a legacy and create what matters for future generations. Look no further.
opusinternational.co.uk/careers Opus International Consultants is now part of WSP
APRIL 2018 | NEW CIVIL ENGINEER 67